helping our community wobabybasics csr intiatives 2008 - 2014
what really matters
your baby | your environment | your community Wobabybasics believes in giving back to the communities we live in and buy our materials from. We are passionate about supporting the local textile sector and workers and ensure that they are paid fairly, valued for their contribution, and encouraged to develop their life skills for career and personal growth. All our handknits are lovingly crafted by a women’s knitting cooperative in Northeast China, under the direction of Catalyst Foundation. They work in self-managed groups and make decisions as a democracy to produce their high-quality items. This ethical production method creates self-esteem and strengthens communities. Our commitment is to give part of our profits to a variety of proactive charities, especially those that are focused on children and families. Hui Xin Disabled Children Center is home to more than 120 mentally and physically handicapped children, aged 0 to 16 years old. Wobabybasics supports Hui Xin with regular donations of everyday items, and a portion of the profits from our What Really Matters Project support renovation projects at the orphanage building. The What Really Matters Project is an annual limited edition print designed by real-life parents and designers for a good cause. If you want to learn more about Wobabybasics and our products, please visit www.wobabybasics.com or contact us at info@ wobabybasics.com. 2
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LEFT & RIGHT PAGE: children from the Hui Xininfo@wobabybasics.com Disabled Children’s Center 3
catalyst foundation Our handknit heirloom quality pieces are made of machine washable luxurious yak down fiber. The super-soft yak fiber is sourced directly from Tibetan herders, enabling them to earn a sustainable living while preserving their traditional lifestyle. The down is spun into a worsted-weight yarn with a touch of eco bamboo fiber for coolness in warm weather. This unique hand-knitting yarn is amazingly soft to the touch and is comparable to cashmere. All our handknits are lovingly crafted by a women’s knitting cooperative in Northeast China, under the direction of Catalyst Foundation, a UK registered NGO. They work in self-managed groups and make decisions as a democracy to produce their high-quality items. This ethical production method creates self-esteem and strengthens communities. 4
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what really matters . 2009 blue circle Ineke Teeninga, a Dutch designer residing in Shanghai, designed this pattern using fresh colors and simple shapes to make all boys and girls look happy-go-lucky! The birth of her son in 2007 inspired Ineke to “go green� and to broaden her horizon after a 10 year graphic design career as art director/editor of various publications. She has contributed designs for Wobabybasics and is currently setting up a foundation to match designers with charity projects.
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what really matters . 2010 red shanghai Sherry Poon collaborated with “BuNnY” to create this adorable pattern inspired by everyday Shanghai icons. Sherry, an Architect and long-time resident of Shanghai, can often be seen biking through the city with her two young daughters in tow. “BuNnY” is a New York fashion designer, a pirate, an omnivore, a professional onlooker but a Bunny never the less. 8
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what really matters . 2011 mah jongg Our fun and colourful 2011 Mah Jongg Pattern was designed by Anita Luu. The pattern was created using tile designs from the popular Asian game, mah jongg. She is the co-author of “Mah-jongg: From Shanghai to Miami Beach,� partner of BeWater and blogger at houseofsparrows.com. Anita currently lives in Sahnghai with her husband and child.
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what really matters . 2012 hearts & stars The 2012 Hearts & Stars pattern was designed by Katherine Szeto. Playing with optical illusion, basic shapes and primary colours, she created a simple yet modern graphic that is appriopriate for both girls and boys. Katherine is a graphics designer and professor at the Raffles Design Institute in Shanghai. Originally from Canada, Katherine currently lives in Shanghai with her husband and two young children. 12
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what really matters project The 2013 limited collection Hide and Seek Pattern and Blue Cloud Pattern was designed by Siu Tang @ The Orangeblowfish. The collection was inspired by the Chinese idiom “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” and is a playful interpretation encouraging all parents to explore their children’s hidden talents. Siu is the Founder and Creative Director of The Orangeblowfish specializing in environmental graphics. Siu lives in Shanghai with his wife and son.
Wobabybasics a division of W00 Limited 132 Nathan Road, #1010, Kowloon, Hong Kong 1327 Fuxing Middle Road, #23, Shanghai, China T +86 21 6247 0577 For wholesale inquiries, contact info@wobabybasics.com For press inquiries, contact spoon@wobabybasics.com www.wobabybasics.com Photography: But Sou Lai www.butsou.com But Lau Lai www.butlau.com 2013 Š W00 Limited
WRMPINFO 20130510