One of the loveliest things about blogging is coming across super retailers, whom previously I would never have heard of.

And of course, sharing them with you!

So Just Shop is one of these wonderful retailers. As soon as I heard about the site, as soon as I saw the stunning pieces and more importantly – as soon as I became aware of the ethos – I knew I had no choice but to bring it to your attention.

Because you see, this is a site that champions and celebrates women.

And well, you all know how I feel about that. *smiles*

So Just Shop – which was recently shortlisted for Virgin Media’s Pitch to Rich campaign – brings together and supports diverse, talented women-led artisan groups from some of the most vulnerable communities in the world.

Which means that every time you buy one of their beautiful pieces – So Just Shop sells everything from jewellery to baby wear – you can feel happy in the knowledge that you are helping to increase the economic empowerment of women across the world, enabling them to build a better life for themselves and their families.

Wonderful stuff huh?

To tell you more about it and how it all began, I chatted to Jennifer Georgeson, the founder. An inspirational woman if ever I’ve come across one.

Here’s what she had to say…

Please tell us a little about you & why you decided to set up ‘So Just Shop’.

I have many years of experience working in international development and have seen first hand the power of economic empowerment of women.

Aid, free healthcare and education are vital tools to lift communities out of poverty, but if you can’t afford the bus fare to the clinic or school uniforms for you children there is a limit to what can be achieved.

I want to enable women to gain economic independence wherever they are in the world.

What do you hope to achieve with your beautiful new website?

I want to create a new model of business, one which benefits both those shopping on the site and those selling to the site.

Having worked all over the world, I found some beautiful accessories of incredible quality and skill, the like of which you cannot find in the UK.

I’ve also found that many of these gifted artisans are living in poverty because they cannot get a good price for their product in the local market or because the price of their products are being driven down by middle men taking a large cut.

So Just Shop gives customers the opportunity to buy these beautiful unique products, whilst giving the artisans the opportunity to sell directly to them so they can receive a much higher price for their goods with no middle men fees.

This dramatically increases their economic empowerment, allowing them to work their way out of poverty.

Why do you think people should purchase something from you?

Primarily because they like the products, but also because of the story behind them – they can learn who made the product as well as where and how it was made.

We aim to sell high quality, unique, contemporary products that can’t be found anywhere else.

Our customers are our biggest advocates, if they like our products, are repeat customers and recommend us to their friends then how can we not succeed?

A tough question I know (!) but which are you favourite items in the shop & why?

Oh, this is tough!

Right now (this does change on a daily basis!) I love the burnt orange, mulberry silk scarf, hand woven by Women Weave in India.

It is soft and beautifully lightweight – ideal for summer and shall be a staple in my wedding and summer party outfits. Handily, this is a perfectly complemented with the Twist Golden Carnelian Bracelet – made by a ladies collective in Nepal.

Finally, if people take away only one thing from this post about ‘So Just Shop’ what would you like it to be?

By shopping through So Just Shop you are given the opportunity to buy unique, gorgeous products whilst enabling women in some of the most vulnerable communities in the world to work their way out of poverty – it’s a win-win situation!

——-

Thank you so much Jennifer! I don’t know about you, but she had me at ‘I want to enable women to gain economic independence wherever they are in the world’!

Please do pop over and have a lovely nosey around this beautiful site. It really is full of lovely, beautifully made items and all sales will really help to improve the lives of women living in some of the World’s poorest countries.

Win an item of jewellery!

Ok, ready for more good news?

The lovely Jennifer has very kindly donated these two stunning pieces of jewellery as prizes to Pouting In Heels readers!

To win the stunning Lily Silver Black Onyx Bracelet or (my favourite!) this beautiful Anju Copper Tiger Eye Necklace, simply follow the instructions below and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

———

With love,

Katie

This competition is promoted at Prize Finder and Loquax.