MADE WITH LOVE is Fashion With a Heart
Founder Mary Jane Marcasiano uses her fashion design and non-profit experience to create unique, handmade products that connect cultures and support women’s and children’s charities in Brazil , Africa and Haiti. In 2007 Marcasiano formed MADE WITH LOVE a non-profit global initative dedicated to raising funds and awareness for NGOs aiding women and children in need through the production and sale of fair trade indigenous products. Made With Love works through the Cygnet Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit public foundation and supports the following NGOs.
In BRAZIL : ESTRELA NOVA a non-profit organisation working in the favelas of Sao Paulo to improve the living conditions of the residents of the Campo Limpo region. Estrela Nova provides day care and educational programs for the youth in this community. MADE WITH LOVE supports Estrela Nova's Fashion as a Profession program working with their students on design and production and helping create strategic corporate alliances in Brazil and the US. In 2009 MADE WITH LOVE launched the Liberty of London Bracelet , made from fabric donated by Liberty of London and has developed and produced corporate give-away products for Havaianas, Leblon and the NJTL.
IN AFRICA : A.S.A.O. aids women and children in West Africa. In 2002 A.S.A.O. created L’Empire des Enfants, a center for homeless children from the streets of Dakar, Senegal providing shelter, meals, education and training programs. This project is funded by the sale of recycled rubber bracelets made by a women’s co-operative in Djenné, Mali. MADE WITH LOVE has increased revenues for these projects through direct consumer sales on its website and through arranging strategic marketing alliances with retailers and other venues. In 2008/09 MADE WITH LOVE took the bracelets on tour with the popular rock band Coldplay, selling the bracelets at their concert venues. As a result of these efforts both of A.S.A.O.'s programs are thriving with a second center for homeless children in Senegal under construction as well as plans for a third in Mali.
IN HAITI : TURTLE TREE FOUNDATION, a Netherlands-based NGO, has created a business initiative with a group of 70 disadvantaged women in the Arbonite region of Haiti.The group calls itself FANM VERET, WI NOU KAPAB! (Women of Verrettes, Yes, We Can Do It !). The common goal is to develop a sustainable income for the women so they can support their families. Turtle Tree is providing them with the training and financing to become a co-operative of artisans and has received grants from the Netherlands and Spain . MADE WITH LOVE is working with Turtle Tree to design products and aid them in international sales and marketing. In 2009 MADE WITH LOVE helped Turtle Tree launch a new product the McSock, organic hand felted wool cases for MacBooks and IPhones. Also developed in 2009 is the MADE WITH LOVE Liberty of London Bear, a stuffed animal in Liberty of London cotton. Sales of these toys will be used to raise money to make and donate these safe toys to child patients of the Four Winds Hospital in Westchester, NY.
The Made With Love Project works with and receives support from the following organisations, companies and retailers
Partners & Beneficiaries of Fashion With A Heart & MADE WITH LOVE
