Bel Esprit launches Donate Design Contest

The Bel Esprit Showroom is launching a contest during Independent Retailer Month  (July 2011) to select accessory designs to benefit HEAL Africa's sustainable business iniative. Women victims of gender based violence receive medical treatment at the hospital in Goma, Congo, and HEAL Africa's work has expanded to heal lives, Bel Esprit reports. Women are welcomed into a network of safe houses where they are given literacy and business education, and are trained in skills, such as seamstress work, to help them start their own business ventures. They are given microloans or grants to finance their start-ups. The program also assists men to create businesses that will support their families and communities.
  
The Bel Esprit Donate Design Contest will select contemporary, commercial designs for a small accessory collection to be produced by the women treated at the hospital. This project will create a business for women, and proceeds will be used to further fund HEAL Africa's projects. Bel Esprit will assist in the marketing and sale of the items, and invites to partner in this contest. Partners will be welcome to serve as judges to help select the winning designs, and to offer opportunities to the winning designer as part of the prize package. Bel Esprit Showroom and their services are designed to help small companies grow their businesses and survive in this highly competitive industry, and, at the same time, seek to promote the concepts of fair trade and ethical fabrics to young companies.

Bel Esprit