A Fair Trade Company Sheds Light on Sex Trafficking - With The Rags Tribe Founder, Dawn Schuster

Tell us about the birth of The Rags Tribe. How did it begin?

The Rags Tribe started with my dream to empower women in need. After traveling in many places across the world, the way women were treated in many parts of societies deeply disturbed me. In India, in particular, the situation of sex trafficking is an epidemic, with millions of women and children being trafficked every year to the main cities. Even those that escape are often shunned by their families and seen as social outcasts. Along with my adoration of Indian Saree fabrics and vintage materials, I wanted to create a brand that would help these women and create sustainable, special garments. I teamed up with a tiny charity in Mumbai, India that rescues these brave women, and we now train them to sew and give them hope and opportunities. I am honored to be working with these incredible people and hope to have many more women working for me in the future.

Behind every brand is a person’s story. What about your own story makes you passionate about the work you're doing today?

I am a total travel addict as well as a lover of all things bright and colorful. India captured my heart many years ago, and I wanted it to become a permanent part of my life whilst doing something to help women there. I really believe that we are all connected, and I could have been born as a sex trafficked woman just as much as she could have been born as me. It is by sheer chance that I was lucky enough to be in this situation. Today I feel that people have forgotten this human connection especially women, when in fact women should be supporting each other and making each other feel beautiful rather than putting each other down.

When you think of the word Power, what comes up for you?

I think that 'power' comes through support from others around us. I am trying to create a worldwide tribe of women who empower each other and make each other feel fabulous. It is an ongoing cycle. The women that make the garments for The Rags Tribe are being empowered by the women on the other side of the world who buy them, whereas those who wear our pieces have a one of a kind special item that they feel confident and beautiful in.

If you could tell women one thing today, what would it be?

We need to stand together and support each other. Be thankful every day for the opportunities we have been given, and that if you are reading this article you probably have been born into a society where you can choose your sexual partners, get married at an age that is fit, and have the opportunity of an education.

What is main thing you've learned since the launch of your business?

That creating a fair trade company is very difficult. Making people genuinely care about who has made their clothes and spend more because the people that made them were treated fairly and with love is a huge challenge. Also hearing the stories of each and every woman that works for me is truly heartbreaking. I found it very difficult to grasp the levels of suffering that they have been through. Some of the stories are on my website, as they see me as their voice to the world.

If you could go back and speak to your younger self, what would you tell her?

That you cannot change the world but you can make a small difference!

You can learn more and The Rags Tribe on their website and even shop these beautiful products in support of women! Here is a YouTube video of their recent fashion show!