Josie Mackenzie is the founder of AMMA. Josie’s first chapter with Sri Lanka was written in 2010 when she worked with a local NGO that provides safe housing for women and educational programs for children. It was through this experience that Josie learned more about the challenges women face in Sri Lanka. On returning to the UK, Josie completed her BA in Textile Design where Sri Lanka became a focus for her woven work, and where she experimented with natural dyes for the first time. The high unemployment rate among mothers living on Sri Lanka’s tea estates was a problem Josie wanted to address when she started AMMA. Working with women is important to her as she sees them as key changemakers within their community. With AMMA employing and training mothers, the business is directly impacting their children and families. Josie’s vision was to also create a culture of community and friendship for these women.
All steps involved in creating the final product are done by hand. Utilising skills of artisans involved, makes each piece, one of a kind.
From seed to stitch, products that can be traced down to the source of the raw materials, at every step in the supply chain.
Improving livelihoods of marginalised communities who have suffered the most with the advent of fast fashion, either through artisanal collaborations or simply giving enough back.
No toxic or chemical dyes are used, resulting in products that are good for your skin and for the planet.