June Newsletter ~ A Milestone Worth Celebrating

I hope everyone is well & settling into summer. I am chugging along feeling completely consumed by ixöq but enjoying the longer warm and sunny days. June is the strangest month for people who create and sell products in the accessories/gift arena. There's the focus on current sales & catching everyone before they're deep in a summer haze. Days are long, gardens are full, and calendars begin to fill with gatherings, celebrations, and moments spent outdoors - all times when a cesta or a gifted catch-all are perfect. Back in the studio, I'm designing for fall & winter and thinking of cooler months ahead and what products will resonate as gifts for the holidays! Both are times of movement, connection, and community, all values that have always been at the heart of ixöq, but as you ease through one season, with the other months away, they both are churning away in my head. It's kind of wild and an interesting (im)balance! 🤪

Setting aside that strange dichotomy, I do have exciting news to share, which has been months in the making ...

ixöq is now officially Fair Trade Federation Verified

While the verification is new, the values behind it are not. Since the beginning, we've believed that creating beautiful products from recycled plastic cord could have positive impact. We've built our business around long-term relationships with artisan partners, thoughtful production, transparency, and a commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship. Being FTF verified is validation as we continue to honor these principles. Learn more about the process & what the verification means for businesses below.

In a world where retail is moving faster than ever, fair trade businesses are proud to invest in a slower, more intentional approach. One that values craftsmanship over convenience, relationships over transactions, and products designed to last beyond a single season. But to be honest, competing with big stores and fast fashion is not easy!

The Fair Trade Federation focuses on these principles. The verification process was extensive, examining everything from our labor practices and environmental responsibility to our supply chain transparency and community re-investments. Receiving this recognition is a meaningful affirmation of the standards we've worked to uphold from the day we started.

This milestone just as much belongs to the women artisans whose work makes ixöq possible. Their creativity, skill, and entrepreneurship are woven into every Cesta, every storage container, every charm and tassel. We're honored that this certification helps shine a brighter light on their work and our commitment to paying them fairly and treating them respectfully, while supporting a future where traditional crafts can continue to thrive.

Looking at these principles on a larger scale, the recent acquisition of Everlane by Shein has sparked discussion across the fashion industry, particularly among consumers who care about sustainability, transparency, and ethical production. It raises an interesting question: what happens when a brand built around conscious consumption becomes part of a company known for operating on a mass production scale?

At ixöq, we don't pretend to have all the answers, but we do think these conversations matter, and we want to know how you feel.

As shoppers, we're increasingly asked to balance affordability, accessibility, sustainability, and impact. We'd love to know your thoughts as we continue to think about the future of responsible retail.

With that said, we're looking forward to more markets, more gatherings, and more opportunities to see you in person & share these values and the beautiful products that we and our artisan partners created. Whether you're packing a picnic, planning a weekend away, celebrating Pride, or simply enjoying the longer evenings, we hope your season is filled with color, community, respect, and a little bit of joy.