EARTH FRIENDLY
A visit to
Maison Bengal
Our merchandiser, Holly, and marketing coordinator, Amy, joined founder of Maison Bengal – Sheenagh Day, for a tour of the company warehouse.
On a bright February morning, Holly and Amy travelled from London to Suffolk to visit one of Wrap London’s accessory partners: Maison Bengal. Chosen for its beautifully handcrafted accessories, Maison Bengal’s goods are created with a commitment to fair trade and sustainability.
Founder Sheenagh Day welcomed our team warmly to the warehouse, where rows of colourful, handwoven bags and accessories filled the space. As her small crew packed orders, she shared the story of Maison Bengal. During her years working in the aid industry, she was struck by the traditional artisanal weaving and basket-making skills she encountered in some of Bangladesh’s poorest communities. Wanting to create lasting opportunities for these women, on her return to the UK in 2004, she founded Maison Bengal, establishing a fair-trade company to provide marginalised communities with a sustainable market.
Maison Bengal now works with over 5,000 women across Bangladesh, helping them preserve traditional weaving and basket-making techniques while earning a fair income from their craft.
Using only locally grown natural materials like jute and hogla (a native seagrass), the brand blends heritage techniques with contemporary design to create durable, joyful, and practical accessories.
Holly and Amy spent the afternoon immersed in a cavern of woven treasures, with thousands of jute baskets and accessories lining the floors and walls of the Maison Bengal warehouse.
“Leading the way, aisle by aisle, Sheenagh proudly talked us through each style of bag and basket, with each design crafted by a different artisan in Bangladesh. The techniques used are both intricate and breathtaking. It was wonderful to discover the story behind some of our most loved accessories”.
Maison Bengal’s mission is simple: to create high-quality, practical accessories while supporting skilled artisans. Hearing the story and seeing the products firsthand reinforced the care and craftsmanship behind each piece - beautiful pieces made with purpose.
