No Passport Needed: Tag Along on Our Kenya Trip as Artisans Share a Sneak Peek in the Making of Our Patchwork Collection
Ever wished you could drop everything and visit Kenya? We did and we’re inviting you along. No passport needed.
We recently traveled to Kenya with our retail partner, Latitudes Fair Trade in Fredericksburg & Warrenton, VA, and had the opportunity to visit with an artisan from our patchwork collection at the market. This trip was so much more than sourcing, it was a reminder of why fair trade matters, why these partnerships exist, and why every handcrafted piece carries so much meaning.
We want you to experience it too. We’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look with one of our partners and the beautiful work they do to bring our designs to life. Come along and see how our Patchwork Collection is made, meet the artisans, and learn how your purchase supports real people and communities in Kenya.
Explore the Patchwork Collection →
Why “No Passport Needed”?
When we say “no passport needed,” we mean it. Our mission at Gitzell Fair Trade is to make these connections possible for everyone, to help you know the people who make your baskets, bags, and home decor, even if you can’t travel halfway around the world yourself.
This trip wasn’t just ours; it was a journey we took on behalf of everyone who cares about fair trade, artisan craft, and sustainability. We’re so excited to share it with you.
Traveling with Latitude Store
We weren’t alone on this adventure! We traveled with our friends at Latitudes Fair Trade in Fredericksburg & Warrenton, VA, a like-minded fair trade retailer committed to connecting their customers with ethical, artisan-made products.
Latitudes Fair Trade has always believed in telling the story behind the product, and it made perfect sense for them to join us on this trip. Together, we visited artisan partners, brainstormed new designs, learned about challenges on the ground, and built the kinds of relationships that make fair trade so powerful.
Their perspective as a retail partner was invaluable: they asked questions about quality, design, and supply that help us all do better. And for the artisans, it was a chance to see exactly where their work ends up and who is supporting them around the world.
Setting the Scene: Kenya
Kenya is a country that defies simple description. It’s lush green highlands, dusty roads lined with acacia trees, vibrant city streets, and quiet rural villages. It’s laughter, conversation, hustle, and warmth.
We landed in Nairobi and quickly got to work. On this trip we visited the artisan of our Patchwork Collection, learn about new designs, and see firsthand how these products come together.
But it wasn’t all business. Traveling here is always personal. Many of our artisan partners have worked with us for years, even decades. Visiting isn’t just “checking on production,” it’s reuniting with old friends.
Meeting the Artisans Behind the Patchwork
One of the stops on the trip was with the talented sewers who create the signature patchwork designs you see in our shop.
They welcomed us warmly, eager to share new color combinations and patterns. It’s humbling to see just how much time and care goes into a single piece. Every stripe, every patchwork block is a decision, about color balance, about tradition, about the customer they imagine using it.
Catherine, our artisan partner in the photo below, told us she always thinks about “the home it will have” as she creates. She imagines it on someone in the U.S. bringing happiness to someone she will never meet.
These aren’t just products. They’re personal gifts from one human to another.
We also visited RefuSHE, a remarkable organization in Nairobi working with young refugee women. Many of our patchwork-style textile accessories are produced by RefuSHE graduates, who learn sewing and design skills in their artisan collective.
It was powerful to see them at work, stitching together colorful scraps in beautiful, unexpected combinations. The patchwork look isn’t just aesthetic, it’s symbolic of resilience, resourcefulness, and creating something new and whole from many parts.
Behind the Scenes: Making the Patchwork Collection
Our Patchwork Collection is one of our most distinctive lines, and this trip was the perfect chance to see its creation up close.
What makes these pieces so special? It’s the fusion of traditional techniques with modern color stories.
Sewing & Textile Work
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Offcuts and remnants are repurposed into vibrant patchwork panels.
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Designs are carefully planned to balance color and shape.
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This reduces waste and celebrates sustainable, slow fashion principles.
We took photos, video, and notes to bring home so we could share it all with you. Watch our social channels for even more peeks behind the scenes!
Artisans’ Voices
One of the best parts of traveling with Latitude was getting to ask questions together and listen to the answers.
We asked: What do you want customers to know?
“That this work sends my children to school,” said one artisan..
“That you are part of this. When you buy, you become part of our group,” said another.
Their words stick with us. They remind us why we do what we do.
This is what fair trade is supposed to be: transparency, respect, partnership, and shared value.
Reflections on Connection and Impact
Seeing production in person is always moving. Even though we’ve worked with these partners for years, there’s nothing like sitting beside someone as they work.
It reminds you:
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That handmade means time, skill, and attention.
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That fair trade means paying fairly, communicating openly, and planning responsibly.
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That these aren’t faceless factories but people with names, families, and dreams.
Travel also lets us spot opportunities to improve:
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Better forecasting so artisans can plan their incomes.
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Improved shipping logistics to save time and cost.
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New designs that can use even more sustainable or local materials.
We came home with notebooks full of ideas and even more commitment to doing this right.
Bringing It Home: The Patchwork Collection
Our Patchwork Collection is a direct result of trips like this. It was born from conversations with weavers who wanted to use more color, and with textile artisans eager to reduce waste and showcase their skill.
When you shop this collection, you’re not just buying a basket or bag. You’re saying:
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Yes to sustainable design.
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Yes to creative reuse.
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Yes to dignified, fairly paid artisan work.
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Yes to cultural heritage celebrated in a modern way.
We invite you to browse the collection and see the beauty for yourself:
Shop the Patchwork Collection →
You’ll see the stories of our trip in every color combination, every hand-stitched seam, every tightly woven coil.
How You Can Support
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for caring. It really does matter.
Here are a few ways you can help support these artisans and fair trade work:
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Shop fair trade first: our store or others you trust.
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Learn and share these stories so more people know what’s behind their products.
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Support brands that prioritize sustainability and transparency.
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Stay connected with us @gitzellfairtrade on IG and Facebook, and through our newsletter.
Fair trade only works because people like you choose it.
Thank You for Coming Along
We know not everyone can hop on a plane to Kenya, but everyone can be part of this story.
We hope this virtual trip gave you a sense of the artistry, the people, and the care that goes into every piece. We’re so grateful to Latitude Store for traveling with us and for being part of this journey, and to you, for supporting these artisans through every purchase.
So - no passport needed. Just an open mind, a generous heart, and a love for beautiful things with a meaningful story.
Explore the Patchwork Collection →
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