Some stories are stitched into fabric, carried and worn throughout generations. Others are written through bold choices—the choice to step away from the expected, the need to create something meaningful, the want to build a business that isn’t just about profit, but about people, culture, and connection.
That’s why being named on the WISE100 List is such an important moment for me and for Handmade Stories.
Produced by Pioneers Post in partnership with NatWest Social & Community Capital, WISE100 celebrates Women In Social Enterprise, impact investment, and mission-driven business. It’s a space for change-makers—for those of us who believe business should be rooted in craftsmanship and ethical relationships.
For me, this recognition isn’t just about what I’ve built—it’s about the artisans who make each piece. It’s about proving that slow fashion is the future, that techniques that have been passed down deserve to be preserved, and that there’s power in stopping to tell the story behind what we wear.
What This Means for Handmade Stories
When I left my advertising career in London in early 2020, I was searching for something deeper—a connection beyond the corporate world. I found it in Peru, in the people who support their families by weaving traditions and history every day.
When the pandemic shut everything down, I knew I couldn’t just walk away. Instead, I stayed, I listened, I learned, and created Handmade Stories—a brand built on the idea that fashion should do more than clothe us; it should connect us.
We work directly with artisans, ensuring fair pay, preserving skills that have been passed down, and creating limited-edition, small-batch designs that honour the time, skill, and care that goes into every item.
Being on the WISE100 list means more than just recognition—it means that the work we’re doing matters. That fashion can be thoughtful. That cultural heritage has a place in the modern world. That choosing craftsmanship over mass production isn’t just a niche choice—it’s a necessary one.
Our Moment to Celebrate, Connect, and Keep Going
WISE100 isn’t just about celebrating success—it’s about celebrating our impact.
Being part of WISE100 isn’t just about me or Handmade Stories—it’s about the artisans, the people who create with their hands, the traditions and stories we’re keeping alive, and the customers who believe in a different way of consuming fashion.
This nomination is a moment to highlight the people behind every piece, to connect with others who believe in a more thoughtful and ethical approach, and to remind ourselves why we started in the first place.
Thank you for this award. This is just the beginning.
