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Aarong ABOUT Aarong Today, few urban consumers will argue that Aarong is the local Mecca for deshi handicraft. Aarong’s product designs has brought consumer attention back to the products and styles that are indigenous to Bangladesh, its designers blending the traditional with the contemporary in a manner that has won instant consumer appeal, starting a revolution in trends that has now been taken up by countless other boutiques and stores. Aarong’s product designs focus on the diverse types and textures of crafts and patterns that have been passed along from generation to generation among weavers and artisans in craft hubs around the country. Aarong also plays the role of protector and promoter of traditional Bangladeshi products and designs. It houses an extensive design library where remnants of our rich craft heritage, such as Nakshikantha art and Jamdani patterns, have been widely researched and archived for present as well as future use. THE HISTORY Aarong began as a cause – a means to an end for a quiet organisation fighting to uphold the dignity of the marginalized. In 1976, when BRAC- a Bangladeshi NGO dedicated to alleviating poverty and empowering the poor, first began encouraging sericulture for women in Manikganj, their only buyers were a few scattered retailers in Dhaka. Weeks, even months would pass between supply and payment, until BRAC intervened. Aarong was born out of a need to ensure that the penniless silk farmers of Manikganj were paid for their goods upon delivery, so that they could feed their families. Today, Aarong's reach has spread beyond Manikganj to the rest of the country. It has grown into a thriving international enterprise showcasing ethnic wear to beautiful crafts from silks, handloom cotton, endi to terracotta, bamboo, jute and much more. From a single shop, Aarong has grown into one of Bangladesh's biggest retail chains, with eight stores spread across the major metropolitan areas of the country - in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna and Sylhet and one in London, UK. Aarong RETAIL OUTLETS Aarong Centre (Head Office) Aarong Flagship Outlet, Uttara Aarong at Dhanmondi Aarong at Gulshan Aarong at Moghbazar Aarong at Wari
Aarong at Mirpur Aarong in Sholashahar, CTG Aarong in Halishahar, CTG Aarong in Sylhet Aarong in Moulvibazar ARTISANS Holding steadfast to its original mission, Aarong today supports the lives and livelihoods of nearly sixty five thousand rural artisans and handicraft producers, 85% of whom are women. More than forty thousand of these women work directly for Aarong in its 13 production centers in Baniachong, Gorpara, Jamalpur, Jessore, Kushtia, Manikganj, Rajbari, Sherpur, and Pabna, Pollobi, Kurigram, Nilphamary, Jhenaidah and 653 subcentres spread across Bangladesh. Twenty five thousand independent cooperative groups and traditional family-based artisans also market their crafts through Aarong. Potters, Brass Workers, Jewellers, Jute workers, Basket Weavers, Handloom Weavers, Silk Weavers, Wood Carvers, Leather workers and various artisans with specialized skills from all over the country come to Aarong for marketing and support services.
PRODUCT LIST *Men Traditional Executive Shirts Maanja Fotua Short Kurta T-shirts Stoles/Shawls Sandals
*Women Traditional Western (TAAGA) Nightwear Shawls/Scarves Shoes ( Leather) Bags ( Leather) Fabrics
*Children Clothes Toys Books Shoes
*Home Textile Bed Table Living Kitchen Kids Rugs Fabrics
*Home Accessories
Bed-Table Lamps Photo Frames Table-Coasters Napkin Rings Mats Trays Diningware Cutlery Bowls and Platters Living-Photo Frames Bookends Boxes Decorative Hammocks Plant Accessories Candles Kitchen-Aprons Kitchen Mits Cookbook Stand Lamps
*Jewelry Gold (Gold) Silver Pearl Other
*Leather
Shoes Bags/Wallets Belts Boxes Photo Frames Office
*Terracotta Decorative Dining Bowls and Platters Diningware Glasses/Mugs Hot Plates Pitchers Lamps Plant Accessories
*Bamboo/Cane/Leaf Living Boxes Photo Frames Dry Decorative CD Racks Floor Mats Dining Mats Napkin Holder Trays Place Mats Coasters
*Metal Living Boxes Photo Frames Dry Decorative CD Racks Floor Mats Dining Mats Napkin Holder Trays Place Mats Coasters
*Candles Pillar Floating Decorative Seasonal
*Jute Decorative Boxes Photo Frames Baskets Personal Accessories Bags Sandals
*Ceramics Decorative Plates and Saucers Bowls and Platters Mugs and Cups Teapots
*Nakshi Kantha Decorative Wall hangings Christmas decorations Fashion Men’s Women’s Children’s Bed Bed Covers Cushions Quilts
Table Tea Cosy Table Cloth/Napkin Mats Personal Accessories Bags Optical Cases
*Paper Cards Stationery Wrapping Paper
*Wood Decorative Photo Frames Wall Hangings Candle Stands Vases Living Shelves and Racks Mirrors Table Bowls and Platters
Cutlery Trays Napkin Holders
*Glass Table Glasses and Cups Pitchers Bowls