Yesterday I lived life as offline as possible and spent the day doing me for a change! Why? Because it was my birthday!!
Every year I like to celebrate by hosting a giveaway. This year I’m a day late, but I’m truly psyched about this one. Bellas – allow me to introduce you to Fairwinds, a unique jewelry collection by Rachel Roy. The collection is a collaboration between Rachel and Fairwinds Trading. Every item has been hand-crafted in Africa by a female-owned business.
This clutch was made in Tanzania, using local fabrics.
These gorgeous earrings were made in Rwanda, featuring beads made in a paper layering process.
This bracelet is made from shredded woven paper, using traditional Rwandan techniques.
Right now, Rachel Roy’s Fairwinds collaboration is available at rachelroy.com and select Macy’s stores and macys.com, and the collection compliments Macy’s Rwanda Path to Peace collection of amazing baskets — which is also made by Fairwinds Trading!
I reached out to Rachel to learn more about the collaboration.
Afrobella – What inspired you to collaborate with Fairwinds? Was this a kind of collaboration you’d dreamed of for a while?
Rachel Roy: One of my goals has always been to help women achieve better lives through financial freedom and independence – that, to me, is about creating job opportunities. Partnering with Fairwinds was a natural choice and to be able to provide and sustain jobs in Africa is essential – the work that Fairwinds does is inspiring and it was a natural partnership.
Afrobella: So far there are three beautiful items from this collaboration – what’s next in store?
Rachel Roy: We will continue to offer seasonal items integrated into all product categories: Sportswear, Jewelry, Shoes and Handbags. Materials used will include handcrafted beads made from varnished paper and woven materials from recycled fabrics and cloth indigenous to different regions in Africa.
Afrobella: What are your hopes for the women of Fairwinds, and for this fashionable collaboration?
Rachel Roy: My hope is that this collaboration and my work with the organization will not only support these women and their families but raise awareness for women in Africa as well as the larger issues – nutrition, education and health care.
I’m delighted and honored to offer an exclusive giveaway of Rachel Roy’s complete Fairwinds collection — clutch, earrings, and bracelet!
All you have to do is leave a comment and let me know — which is your favorite Fairwinds item, and how do you plan to rock it? — comments will be open until March 12!
Good luck!
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im a clutch kinda gal. i’d rock it with a fiiierce **waving index finger** twist out fro, jeans n white tee w/vintage jewelry and red lipgloss!! mmmm *daydreaming**
Those earring would look lovely swinging among my dred locs
Too bad I can only pick one because I like them all. But since I have to pick one, I’d rock the earrings with my frohawk, gold heels, jeans and a halter. Or better yet let my mom borrow them to help her get used to her big chop. ROCK IT FLYYYYY!!!!
I love the bracelet. I would wear it with a LBD in a room full of strangers because that bracelet is truly a conversation piece!!!!
I’m in love with that clutch. I would rock it with my gray, suede thigh highs, jeans, tank and some ridiculously large gold hoops to set off my big wild fro.
I love the earrings! The construction is very interesting and would compliment my afro puff and my bohemian chic spring/summer style. As a matter of fact, I have a really cute strapless orange dress that would go perfectly with it.
I love the earrings. They would look great with my locs, a tee and some jeans. I cant wait to hear everyone asking about them.
Those earrings would really set off my summer wash and go’s!
I’m in love with the clutch. I can see this being a staple in my wardrobe. I would rock it with a sexy lbd and funky jewelry for a date. Or with jeans, a gray tank and snake skin pumps for a relax day in the summer.It’s so versatile.
Happy Belated Afrobella! It is hard to choose but I could definitely see myself rocking the clutch with a bright summer mini and my favorite wooden wedges! I can’t wait for the summer!
Happy Bday!!!! I hope you enjoyed your day!
I love the clutch, and I’m wearing it in Cuba for a wedding…in shaa allah 🙂
Happy Bday my fellow caribbean sister!
I’m wearing the clutch to Caribana…right?
Well, I love all of them and the fact that they are designed to support women in Rwanda (a cause close to my heart).
However, the clutch is stunning and I would rock it with with my black maxi dress, gladiator sandels, big hoop earrings and my favorite accessory..my big twist-out fro 🙂
the clutch is definitely a fav..esp w/ army green shirt dress & boots.
I love the clutch. It would be perfect with a linen blazer, tangerine blouse, and dark denim skirt for a Friday happy hour after work.
I adore the clutch! I’ve got an amazing red/orange tank dress that I’d pair with a black cardigan and some cute flat gladiator sandals to meet up with my honey for dinner.
Happy belated birthday!
I love the clutch. Just in time for spring. I’d rock with linen pants, simple tank & bold jewelry.
In LOVE with the clutch!!! I would rock AND re-rock it with my TWA, LBD, banging peony pink lipstick and it it set off the look….uhmmmmm yummy!!
Although I’m not usually a clutch kinda girl, my style philosophy is to mix African fabrics with classic pieces. This will look hot with the current khaki & military trend! Happy Belated Birthday!
Happy Birthday Bella! I love the clutch! I would carry it while wearing blue jeans, white shirt and beige heels.
First & foremost Happy Belated Birthday!!
If I could pick just one for this fab giveaway ::pondering:: I would go with the clutch. Spring is approaching and accessories usually make my outfit. I would wear some pink lipstick, a jean’s jacket with a white tank underneath, and some khaki shorts with some fierce sandals! *snaps for the kids* lol!
I love her Boom Box Radio Necklace, it is so cool!! My husband is a DJ and clubowner, so he could really rock this more than me! I love her unique items! So Fresh!
I love your blog and I wish you luck in the #CON (Creme of Nature contest). @NaturalMomm (Twitter)!! 😉
Thanks,
Angie
It is Spring time in Southern Louisiana. I would rock the clutch with some linen pants, strappy sandals and a cute tee at the French Quarter Festival next month!
I love earrings so much but that clutch has my name written all over it!!! I am a true bag whore and trying to expand my clutch collection. I would rock the bag with a maxi dress, bronzy sandals, a chunky wood choker around my neck, my wood hoops on my ears, my baby locs and that clutch in my hand!!!
I love the earrings! I see myself in a beautiful bright yellow dress and some lovely multi-colored peep toe pumps, with the earrings complementing all of the beauty!
I would rock those gorgeous earrings were made in Rwanda, featuring beads made in a paper layering process to inspire me to write. I would rock them daily as a reminder that like the earrings, we all have many layers.
Gasp! That clutch is to DIE for!! *swoon*
As an African woman who grew up wearing ankara, batik and beautiful jewelery made of wood and glass beads, I understand how incredibly timeless these items are – they’re much, much more than part of the “ethnic” or “tribal” look that’s “in” according to fashion editors. They represent freedom, the richness of multiple heritages and cultures and, of course, fabulous style 😉
I’d rock the clutch in a simple shift dress, my hair in cornrows and my feet in my 5-inch red heels for the Red Pump Project to make sure it takes centre-stage.
By far my favorite item is the Clutch which happens to be my favorite shape in a handbag. The fabric, and the workmanship make this clutch extra special. And how I would wear it, well I would wear it out LOL, it’s a perfect jeans and tee bag!
I would definitely choose the lovely clutch. In a society that glorifies the oversized bag, I would love to go back to the simpler days of minimized glamour-more of a grab and go style. Too many days have come and gone where somewhere has referred to my oversized bag as a suitcase. I too wondered what was in this purse that I was accidently ramming into people or almost knocking things over in the store.
In my hands, this clutch would be paired with any and everything. Perhaps a grey skinny jean, black shirt and pumped up boots. Most importantly, I would rock this clutch with confidence and great style. Sometimes I think it is not what you wear but how you wear (rock) it.
Happy Belated Birthday!
I love all the pieces, but if forced to choose, I’d choose the clutch. Maxi dress, wedge sandals, locs in a high ponytail – you wouldn’t be able to tell me a thing.
My favorite Fairwinds item would have to be the earrings. My favorite color is black, so I would rock the earrings to work with a business suit, or by night with a black dress.
First time commenter, somewhat longtime reader here!
I LOVE those earrings. I would rock them with a cute spring dress. Maybe a grey or soft yellow to make them pop!
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!!
My favorite item would have to be the clutch. I would rock it with jeans, a cute top, and some platforms or espadrille sandals… or a cute summer dress with flats… or a blazer with a tank and a flowy skirt or jeans…(I could probably keep going) I would have to wear it with a chunky wooden bracelet or a bunch of gold bangles–and my short funky wig:)
Happy Belated Birthday!!!
All three are beautiful but I really like the fabric on the clutch. I hope you enjoyed your birthday!
Like others before me, I like the clutch, but I would really rock the earrings with my twists & a colorful sun dress. They’d be such a conversation starter, as well as a way for me to bring up relevant issues!
Happy Birthday AfroBella! Pisces Unite lol, my birthday was last week 3/3. Blessings for the next year! I love the earrings they are gratifying eye candy and I can see them being worn to compliment a simple khaki colored strappy summer dress. Thank you for the post I definitely have to check out there products and love the story behind them.
Happy Birthday Bella. Many many happy returns. All the items are really nice and I think they could all be worn at once with a simple black shirt dress and dark brown knee high boots.
I especially love the turquoise beaded earrings, perfect with my short hair and a sleeveless blue or brown top I have ;D
An dI almost forgot, Happy Birthday dear dreamer (yes, Pisces are sweet dreamers ^^)
I’m loving the earrings. I would pull my locs to one side and simply be FAB U LOUS!
First let me so Happy Birthday! It always feels wonderful to take time and just do you! I love the earing though, I change my earing about every day. So i would def rock these. I love the colors and the textures!
That’s awfully nice of you to do the giving on your born day!
I <3 the clutch. I would rock it with an army gray linen blazer, dark wide leg jeans, basic white tee, and a sick pair of wedges. Oh and of course the oversized shades! *le sigh* I can see it now…
Happy Birthday!
What would I rock – the bracelet – it would look great with a sundress!
Happy b-day! I would wear the earrings and bracelet when i go to my lil’ brother’s school. All the children always compliment my accessories and they love how i look so festive and fun. i would love to have a story and purpose behind the jewlery i wear when complimented again :-D.
I know I’m a bit late, I hope you had a fab birthday. This year your deepest wish come true.
I would wear those earrings to dress up, down and all around town!
The jewelry is very unique and pretty. Happy Birthday, my fellow Piscean! My birthday was 3/11
I love everything Rachel Roy! To bad im late for the contest. I wouldnt mind spending my money on any of her pieces. Her jewelry is definitly one of a kind.