Garland of Victory x TransEnd Bangladesh

Creating fair trade, zero-waste fashion with gender-diverse artisans

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh & New York, USA
Timeline: May 2022- August 2023
Partners: Field & Forum, TransEnd Bangladesh, Garland of Victory
Beneficiaries: 10–15 hijra, trans, and gender non-conforming artisans
Focus Areas: Gender equity, fair trade labor, zero-waste fashion, upcycling, creative entrepreneurship

The Challenge

Gender-diverse communities in Dhaka face systemic discrimination, limited employment opportunities, and unsafe living conditions. Conventional fashion supply chains rarely provide dignified, fair-wage work for hijra, trans, and non-binary artisans. Heritage textiles and garment scraps are wasted, despite their cultural and aesthetic value. Garland of Victory saw the opportunity to combine fair labor, circular design, and artisan-led product development to address these social, economic, and environmental gaps.

What We Did

  • Designed zero-waste bags and plant hangers using upcycled sarees and textile scraps.

  • Provided paid, flexible work for marginalized artisans in safe, community-friendly settings.

  • Conducted hands-on training in tie-dye, macramé, and quality control through Dhaka-based trainer Mridul Nafiul.

  • Secured a workspace and supply chain to support artisans without adequate home environments.

  • Set fair wages at twice the national average, in consultation with local labor activists.

  • Promoted circular design practices, repurposing heritage textiles and reducing landfill waste.

  • Mentored artisans to develop entrepreneurial skills, encouraging peer-to-peer training and micro-business creation.

  • Documented processes to align with UN SDGs #5 (Gender Equity) & #8 (Decent Work) and share research insights.

Impact

  • Economic empowerment: 10–15 artisans earned fair wages while gaining skills.

  • Cultural preservation: Heritage textiles transformed into functional, desirable products.

  • Sustainable production: 100% upcycled plant hangers and naturally dyed bags.

  • Entrepreneurial growth: Artisans began mentoring peers and selling products locally.

Lessons Learned

  • Design must accommodate artisans’ social, economic, and environmental constraints.

  • Hands-on training and mentorship ensure consistent quality.

  • Fair trade and zero-waste practices can empower marginalized communities while producing beautiful products.

Quote

“Making these bags and plant hangers gives me more than income—it gives me pride in my skills and a sense that my work matters.” — TransEnd Artisan, Dhaka