Robin Seyfert arrived in Bangladesh in August 2006 to work with an NGO in rural areas on public health information. From the first day living with a local family in Dhaka, she had a soft, unbleached cotton kantha blanket with a simple embroidered pattern, which she immediately fell in love with. In the warm climate, it was lightweight, soft, and beautiful. Traveling around Bangladesh, it was evident that this country is a paradise for anyone who loves textiles and handmade products. Meeting artisans and seeing their amazing products was a highlight for Robin and other visitors.

While meeting artisan groups and seeing their products was a joy, Robin also discovered women who were trapped in the sex trade, experiencing deep shame and a desperate need for freedom. Hearing their stories of exploitation made it clear that girls and women were yearning for a chance to escape. The simple vulnerabilities that could lead to exploitation highlighted the urgent need for dignified work as a way out.

Two NGOs initiated training programs for women seeking to break free from the sex trade. While successful, it was evident that more support was necessary. Most jobs available to women without experience were not conducive to healing from trauma or could even put them at risk of trafficking again.

Robin believed that these women were meant to create beauty, not to be used and abused. Collaborating with others who shared a passion for showcasing Bangladesh’s handiwork, Basha Boutique was established. In Bengali, Basha means house, and asha means hope. Basha became a house of hope in Bangladesh, where women craft bright futures for themselves and their children through their homeland’s beautiful handicraft traditions. Repurposed, recycled, and locally sourced materials are transformed into exquisite products that have been distributed to our retail partners worldwide since 2011.

As Rani recently expressed, “I may not be able to travel the world, but my products reached every corner of the globe!”