With a growing reputation for both high-quality shoes - that combine comfort and fashion - and matching bags in stunning colours of suede and leather, Zinnia is building quite a following among people who care about where and how their accessories are made. Their wide range of ethically traded products from Egypt include: Original designs of hand-stitched leather handbags, footwear and belts Beautiful evening bags made from local Egyptian fabrics Egyptian silver and genuine gemstone Hand-woven rugs, bed throws, tablecloths and aprons Scarves, pashminas and wraps In Egypt artisans work with colour, both those used in traditional arts and the more vibrant colours - shocking pinks, orange, purples - that you may not associate with 'ethnic' crafts. When it comes to taste and style Zinnia acts as a bridge between European markets and the Egyptian artisans and manufacturers. We tell them what people here like, and they adapt local materials, well established production processes and ancient crafts to produce their own unique blend of the two. There is a growing awareness of environmental issues in Egypt and some of the groups we work with produce all their goods from recycled products. So when you buy from Zinnia you are not only buying a product that is fashionable, tasteful, hand-made and therefore unique, but you are also helping artists, craftsmen and women, workshops, and whole communities who are less well off than we are here in Europe. It feels good for us here at Zinnia to choose the products you will see on our website and in our exhibitions, and to know that we are helping and encouraging good, hard working people in Egypt. It also feels good to buy and give gifts that you like to people you love, while also providing invaluable support to people who really need it.