Soko’s innovative model captures the creativity and resourcefulness of a new breed of designers.
New York, New York (PRWEB) October 06, 2013
Soko, Africa’s first mobile marketplace, is proud to announce the release of its first curated accessories collection. The collection features necklaces, bracelets and earrings, designed and handcrafted by skilled Kenyan artisans, made available to customers in the US, Canada, and Europe at http://www.shopsoko.com.
The Evolution of Global Fashion and Design
The vibrant colors, geometric shapes and clean lines of African fabrics and accessories have been embraced from the runway to the sidewalk. Soko, which means marketplace in Swahili, offers style-conscious consumers a direct line to responsibly sourced African designs. Soko’s collections, which feature statement necklaces, architectural brass pieces and skilled beadwork, are carefully selected to reflect both authentic African styles and global metropolitan aesthetics.
“Soko’s innovative model captures the creativity and resourcefulness of a new breed of designers,” says Gwendolyn Floyd, co-founder of Soko. “Each item in our collection is a conversation piece and an investment in global artistic equality, as well as a fresh take on a classic accessory.”
Connecting Consumers to Exclusive Designs Through Mobile Technology
Soko’s mobile technology empowers artisans and consumers alike, in support of its mission to create an online marketplace where international consumers can buy unique and quality pieces directly from artisans around the world.
The mobile application sustainably supports and enriches the work of Kenyan artists - and small scale, environmentally friendly production - while providing consumers access to exclusive jewelry designs never before available on the international market.
“At Soko we believe that the global marketplace should be accessible to all artisans in the digital age,” says Floyd. “Designers and artisans everywhere deserve equitable access to the means to support their craft and build their businesses on the global stage, while consumers consistently demand access to world goods - whether their goal is to support developing economies and traditional craftsmanship or enjoy broader access to fashionable and unique design.”
How does Soko work in practice?
The Soko mobile application is an open source, free app available to any artisan in new and developing markets. Soko’s first collection highlights the work of designers from Kenya. Artisans upload product details and images of their handcrafted jewelry to create personal online storefronts, through mobile devices, to reach an international consumer base. Online shoppers can browse offerings and make direct purchase through Soko’s website, http://www.shopsoko.com. Soko logistics tools manage payment and delivery to ensure a safe shopping experience and guaranteed delivery.
What are Soko Collections?
Soko Collections highlight the best in design coming out of Soko’s open online marketplace. For shoppers who prefer a curated shopping experience, the Collection is the ideal choice for finding stunning and exclusive jewelry designs, online at http://shopsoko.com/collections/sc2013-kenya.
Supporting sustainable growth and development, in addition to fostering a responsible relationship between artisans and online shoppers, Soko works to provide Kenyan artisans with the tools and information required to build a sustainable, profitable small business - from access to market research and fashion forecasting data to small-business planning guidance.
Soko’s first curated collection includes necklaces, bracelets and earrings featuring intricate beadwork and traditional metal treatments. All items and more information on Soko’s artisans, values and mission are available on their recently unveiled site, http://www.shopsoko.com.
