Handmade from Tanzania is a design led artisan brand based in Tanzania, specialising in handwoven textiles and garments created using traditional techniques and sustainable practices.

The company’s story began in 1993, when the founder first visited Tanzania while living in Dar es Salaam. What was intended as a short stay became a long term commitment to the country, its people, and its rich craft traditions.

By 2000, while establishing a home and family, the founder began exploring sustainable ways of making everyday household textiles. This early experimentation marked the beginning of a creative journey rooted in craftsmanship, material knowledge, and local collaboration.

​

As the venture evolved, the focus shifted fully to textile production. The team built their first handlooms using locally sourced timber, initially with the aim of producing handwoven sheets. Although the process was slow and technically challenging, persistence and innovation led to the development of a distinctive textile language.

Today, Handmade from Tanzania works exclusively with Tanzanian grown cotton, spun into yarn specially for the company. The yarn is dyed using a combination of natural plant-based dyes, primarily eco friendly dyes as well as  natural dyes derived from leaves, creating our unique and recognisable colour palette.

Each loom is a feat of craftsmanship, holding over 4,000 individual threads, all carefully threaded by hand through a complex system of needles. With countless loom configurations and weave structures available, every textile produced is truly unique.

​

Handmade from Tanzania creates a range of handwoven home textiles and garments in close collaboration with a skilled team of artisans. Ethical production is central to the brand’s values, with a strong commitment to fair, living wages and respectful working relationships.

This journey has been one of creativity, adaptation, and community and it is only just beginning.