Afghan Hands

How did a celebrated make up artist found sewing centers for young widows in Kabul? That's a story.... Matin Maulawizada, one of the most sought after fashion and celebrity make-up artists (Jeanne Moreau, Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, Julianne Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow--and his friend and collaborator in Afghan Hands, Claire Danes..), returned to his birthplace with a passion to help women who reminded him of his own six sisters, except that, unlike his family, their luck had run out. These young widows are effectively prisoners of their in-laws, often horribly abused by late husbands' brothers, while being stripped of all status.

Matin and his team help Afghan widows gain independence, literacy, and livable wages, by learning to embroider: and what embroidery! Whether traditional dragons or florals or one of the modern figures designed by Claire Danes and her artist mother Carla, the work is exquisite. 

We are working on having these skilled Afghan Hands operate on commission, Visibly Mending your clothes. Watch this space.

Meantime you can shop the gorgeous shawls.You will be funding an incredible program, helping the widows prepare for work as free women do elsewhere in the world, so that no one will ever imprison them in the name of law, honor, or religion.