Mallory Solomon, founder of Salam Hello, travels deep into the Atlas mountains to source handmade rugs from female artisans, crafted from 100 percent sheep wool and all-natural dye.
“In more traditional rug design, the symbolism is often a wish or depiction of the artisan’s life,” says Solomon, adding that the next generation of artisans finds inspiration in other sources, like the natural landscapes around them., for example, featured in Salam Hello’s second collection which launched January 24, features three zig zag lines that represent the nomad tents of the weaver's village people.
“The weavers are usually at the mercy of these middlemen,” explains Solomon, who notes that some female weavers, tired of loosing money on their high quality rugs, are resorting to using synthetic materials to keep their costs down. “Instead,” she continues, “we meet the female weavers face to face and pay them the exact wage they ask for. We also involve the women in the negotiations and ask them to share their stories.
Ultimately, Solomon hopes to help the Berber women expand their business beyond Salam Hello. She puts 10 percent of profits back into their communities and provides them with tools to support their rug-making. On the day I visited Association Anezal with Salam Hello founder Mallory Soloman, we were treated to homemade couscous, mint tea, and the stories behind each rug with the weavers., handwoven by a female artisan named Malika, who crafted the rug using live wool and henna, pomegranate, saffron, indigo, alfalfa, and mint to give color to the rug’s symbols of protection.
Malika, known as the prankster of the Association, has an infectious and mischievous smile and is always trying to get her fellow weavers laughing. Over couscous and mint tea, her grin radiated every corner of the weaving room, and now, every time I look at her rug, it’s hard not to see that smile.
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