ABURY - Inspiring Change and Innovation through Design
A Company that brings together local craftsmen and international designers for a sustainable future
September 03rd, 2018
Precious skills, languages and rituals are lost every day within the framework of an increasingly rapid process of globalization. Intercultural exchange, however, can facilitate a direct knowledge transfer between artisans and designers, preserve local heritage and contribute towards mutual understanding and a sustainable future.
The Berlin based social fashion business, ABURY was founded by Andrea Bury in 2011. The inspiration behind the company was Andrea Bury’s own experience working on renovation of the old Riad in Marrakesh alongside the local craftsmen. She found herself captivated by the immense handicraft heritage of the Moroccan people. However, she also realized how threatened by the fast consumerism this heritage was.
In order to preserve local handicraft heritage, new strategies were needed. Andrea created ABURY and based it on the three pillars - innovation design, handmade exclusivity and social impact. The company aims to initiate a space that would bring together two worlds - technology, design and opportunities on the one hand, and technical skills, authenticity and unique stories on the other hand.
In 2015, to leverage the impact and create international awareness, the company started annual fashion contest - The ABURY Design Experience (ADEX). It is the first international contest in search of emerging designers to create an accessory capsule collection using traditional crafts knowledge from different cultures. The winner receives travel, stay and production budget to develop their own collection at one of the unique locations together with the local artisans. Previous ADEX editions have taken winners to Ecuador, Morocco, Ethiopia and Chile.
The ABURY flagship store is located in the Bikini Berlin Shopping Mall. It showcases not only their collections, but also offers a variety of products that follow the basic principles: Exclusive Design, Handmade Quality and Social Impact
