A Plymouth woman has been one of the driving forces behind an ethical business that has helped women in Asia who are survivors of sex trafficking or caught in extreme poverty.
The organisation called Spirited Clothes was established in 2013 by two friends Nicola Willis and Kate Montgomery after a visit to India the year before.
Appalled by the plight of women in India and the Philippines who were forced through poverty into the sex trade, they decided to establish the clothing business and create sewing centres where the ladies could be trained in new skills to provide an income and security for their families.
There are two training centres in India and a third in the Philippines, all funded by Spirited Clothes.
All the materials are provided by Spirited Clothes and the women then use their new-found sewing skills make the range of loungewear and pyjamas which can be purchased online through the organisation’s website.
The business was first established in Australia, where Nicola was living at the time. She then relocated to the Philippines and then the UK where she set up the UK side of the business in 2018.
Her co-founder Kate is still based in Australia where she runs the Liora charity working in collaboration with Nicola in the UK.
Nicola said:
“Through training and employment in our sewing centres, these ladies are given a skill and a way to provide an income for their families. It also helps in their rehabilitation by having a safe, loving environment to work in as well as regular work and salary.”
The business has helped women like Rani, who found herself trapped in the right light area after her husband abandoned her and her two daughters. With little or no family to support her, Rani was forced to finds work to support herself and her children. This was hard for her to do because of her lack of education or training..
A neighbour heard about her story and offered her a cleaning job which Rani took with much appreciation, but this job was not what it seemed and she didn’t know that the neighbour had the intention of selling Rani to the pimps in the red light area.
One day whilst Rani was working, three men came into the house and trapped and abused her, then took her away to the red light area with her daughters where they sold her and left her. She suffered extreme abuse and cruelty whilst she was trapped in there.
Nicola said:
“Thankfully that is not the end of her story: Rani found freedom from sex trafficking and now works in our sewing centre, helping to make our beautiful range of loungewear and pyjamas. Her children are safe and attend school and Rani has hope for her future and the future of her children.”
To highlight the work Spirited Clothes is doing in Asia, and to hear the stories of the women making their clothes, Spirited Clothes has teamed up with Redeemer Church in Plymouth to host a Fashion Show on Saturday November 20 at 7pm. The show will be at the church in St Barnabas Terrace, Plymouth PL1 5NN.
Nicola added:
“Not only will we be sharing the stories but also showcasing the beautiful range of clothing that these amazing women are producing. It’s an excellent chance to hear how buying from Spirited Clothes changes lives and makes a difference.
“It’s an ideal time to browse for Christmas presents for your friends and family from the new range of loungewear and pyjamas, or treat yourself to something new!”
Tickets are £10 which includes a complimentary drink on arrival as well as discounted prices on the products. Go along for a night out with the girls and hear about the inspiring women behind the brand.
To purchase tickets and find out more go to www.spiritedclothes.co.uk
