Silk Road Bazaar Holiday 2014 Press Kit

Holiday 2014 Press Kit

• Holiday 2014 Press Release

Table of Contents

2

• Background of Silk Road Bazaar

4

• Fact Sheet

4

• Biographies

5

• Photos and Marketing Materials

6

• Past Press Coverage

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6

• Media Contact Information

Holiday 2014 Press Kit

Silk Road Bazaar launches new Wholesale and Retail Holiday Market websites and is a first time participant in the 2014 NY Columbus Circle Holiday Market.

MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY — Oct 20, 2014 — Silk Road Bazaar (SRB) launches its new wholesale and 2014 Retail Holiday Market websites and announces its presence as a vendor in the December NY Columbus Circle Holiday Market. The wholesale website highlights Silk Road Bazaar’s social impact and products while the retail market site allows consumers to buy directly from SRB from November 1, 2014 to December 20, 2014 leading up to the holiday season. Silk Road Bazaar is also pleased to announce they will be a first-time vendor in the NY Columbus Circle Holiday Market, a month long festive experience from December 2, 2014 - December 24, 2014.

A Fresh Take on Giving Handmade Gifts this Holiday Season Silk Road Bazaar is a wholesale apparel and gifts brand that represents fair-trade artists in Kyrgyzstan.

The entire collection of handcrafted felted scarves, ornaments and baby shoes will be available to buy directly online from November 1 to December 20, 2014 and will be available for purchase in person at the NY Columbus Circle Holiday Market from December 2 to December 24, 2014.

“We’re very excited to have our entire collection open to the public for the first time ever,” said Andrew Kuschner, General Director of Silk Road Bazaar.

Stand Out Pieces Include: • Giraffe Baby Zooties. The booties are handcrafted in small batches, starting from natural sheep wool, which is dyed, spun and felted, before being cut and stitched into adorable giraffe details.

• Lion Baby Zooties. Your little one might only just be taking his first steps, but it’s only a matter of time before he becomes head of the pride with these charming booties, made from eco-friendly felted sheep wool

by Kyrgyz artisans.

• Peacock Ornaments. Handcrafted in an array of 8 vibrant colors, a portion of ornament purchases are given to improve schools in Kyrgyzstan.

• Double Layered Peacock Shawls. Merino wool is encased between two layers of handspun silk for this cascading peacock design.

• Hedgehog Ornaments. As one of the most popular designs, this furry critter is sure to bring light in a new home and a portion of ornament purchases are given to improve schools in Kyrgyzstan.

In regards to baby Zooties — “No matter which critter you select for a toe-tally awesome pair of booties, you’ll know that each pair of sweet critter feet is handmade in small batches, with the wool dyed, spun, felted, and stitched by a woman led cooperative” — Cool Mom Picks

About Silk Road Bazaar Silk Road Bazaar is a wholesale apparel and gifts brand that represents fair-trade artists in Kyrgyzstan. Started in 2012 following General Director, Andrew Kuschner’s, business development Peace Corps placement in Kyrgyzstan, Silk Road connects with artists in remote locations who have carried on traditional craft culture. In design collaboration with fiber and applique artists apart of women led cooperative Kork Fiber Art, Silk Road’s handcrafts range from felt silk and wool scarves, ornaments, baby shoes as well as other products from wool, silk, and cotton. A Fair Trade Federation partner committed to quality livelihoods for Central Asian artisans, products are sold internationally in over major 600 retailers in the US and Canada such as Whole Foods, West Elm and Uncommon Goods. For more information visit www.thesilkroadbazaar.com

CONTACT INFORMATION Tiffany Vlaanderen Sales Manager, Silk Road Bazaar info@thesilkroadbazaar.com || 973 337 9744

BACKGROUND Silk Road Bazaar is a wholesale apparel and gifts brand that represents fair-trade artists in Kyrgyzstan.

Started in 2012 following General Director, Andrew Kuschner’s, business development Peace Corps placement in Kyrgyzstan, Silk Road connects with artists in remote location who have carried on traditional craft culture. In design collaboration with fiber and applique artists apart of women led cooperative Kork Fiber Art, Silk Road’s handcrafts range from felt silk and wool scarves, ornaments, baby shoes as well as other products from wool, silk, and cotton. A Fair Trade Federation partner committed to quality livelihoods for Central Asian artisans, products are sold internationally in over major 600 retailers in the US and Canada such as Whole Foods, West Elm and Uncommon Goods.

FACT SHEET • Products found in over 600 retailers in the US and Canada including Whole Foods, West Elm, Uncommon Goods, The Smithsonian and Tango Zulu.

• Product lines: Scarves, Ornaments, Baby Booties, Baby Mobiles, Felted Soaps.

• Products made with handstitched felted wool, silk and cotton.

• Silk Road is one of the leading handcraft exporters to the US from Kyrgyzstan.

• Silk Road works with over 50 craftspeople of Kork Fiber Art Cooperative in Kyrgyzstan.

BIOGRAPHIES

General Director, Andrew Kuschner is a NYU Stern graduate who spent two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kyrgyzstan after witnessing a need to work with the main industry of artisans in the region. He met with local felt master Gulnara Kydyrmyshova, creator of Kork Fiber Art cooperative and their common interest in expanding her shop and designs led to the partnership that is the Silk Road Bazaar today.

Gulnara Kydyrmyshova is a nationally recognized Kyrgyz felting master and the creator of Kork Fiber Art, a women led cooperative in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan since 1995. It is a center for the promotion of arts and craftsmanship. She leads over 50 women to create products from felt. During the Soviet Union, she was commissioned to paint portraits of Lenin and other Soviet leaders. Upon the collapse, she suddenly found herself without any work or income with a family of two children. She travelled throughout Central Asia trying to earn a living however possible.

PHOTOS AND VIDEO Please click each title for link • Catalogue • Video on artisans • Video of General Director PAST PRESS COVERAGE • • • • •

The Giggle Guide Joovay Cool Mom Picks Global Goods Baby and Kids Magazine

MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION Tiffany Vlaanderen Sales Manager, Silk Road Bazaar info@thesilkroadbazaar.com || 973 337 9744