our movement
creollus | from brazil to the world

Founded to empower our Brazilian artisans to showcase their unique and exclusive work of art (made out of recyclable, reusable and sustainable materials) throughout the world. FROM BRAZIL TO THE WORLD.

We’ve been accomplishing it through our partners, social-responsible retailers, that are carrying our line and educating their clients by offering a historical background on its artisans, materials used for the creation of purchased products and to where a percentage of its sale is going to.

3-cord long-term relationships

Our commitment to fair trade is more than just prices— it is founded on a commitment to long-term relationships that provide exceptional benefits for our artisan partners, our retail-partners and for our business.

When Creollus starts trading with an artisan group, we stay committed to working with the group in the long-term and to building its capacity to become successful with both end-user consumer and fair trade retail-partners (our client buyers).

We are committed to sustaining consistent purchases each year, and we try not to decrease purchases from an artisan group from year to year.

• Long-term purchases commitment are more important than the fair prices we pay
• Long-term relationships give our artisan partners a sustainable source of income that enables them to plan for the future—investing in technology and skills training in order to reach their full business potential.

payment structure

Creollus promptly pays artisans in full for each order. We provide artisan partners with the opportunity to receive 50 percent of an order's price when the order is placed, which functions as an interest-free cash advance. We pay the remaining balance immediately following notice that the order has been shipped.

This capital allows artisan groups to purchase equipment and raw materials without going into debt by taking out loans with high interest rates. Creollus delivers punctual payment to artisan groups.

Once the products arrive in the United States, Creollus is responsible for marketing them. Artisans' wages are not affected by product markdowns or discounts because they have already received payment before the products arrive in our warehouse. 

environmental responsibility

At Creollus, our goal is sustainability — not just for our artisans and retail partners, but also for the environment.

We strive to minimize our carbon footprint while maximizing our impact on disadvantaged artisans.

Our eco store serves as an environmental alternative to a print catalog and we take a conscious approach toward minimizing environmental impact in order to meet the 'triple bottom line' of economic, environmental and social sustainability.

sustainability 

The majority of our goods are produced in the most environmentally friendly way possible—by hand.

Our artisans recycle materials such as paper, newspaper, post-consumer magazines, glass, tire... and create innovative and functional accessories for fashion, home decor and art pieces. Many items are made with natural materials such as bamboo, wood, gemstone, banana fiber just to name a few.

We encourage artisans to use local raw materials whenever possible, and many artisans use natural dyes.

Several artisan partners also source sustainable wood, or 'good wood,' from certified farms that replant trees once they are sourced.

creollus milestones

1999 -
Humble beginnings... its founder Eve Eliane created and began wearing its first creation: a belt and handbag made out of newspaper.

2000 -
Eve recruits friends and neighbors alike so as to assist her on production of fashion accessories made out of recycled materials.

2001 -
Eve received and accepted an invitation from the mayor of the city of Rio de Janeiro to teach techniques at local community colleges; Eventually, Eve invited some of her students, whom already had training in different techniques using different materials, as partners.

2002 -
Innovating by hiring individuals at the local correctional facility. This partnership has allowed many peoples to create a better future for themselves and their extended families. Majority of the individuals are directly employed by us after their time in confinement.

2003 -
Established a Brazilian cooperative. Profit sharing with all artisans

2004 -
Invited to design aluminum pull tabs collection for SP Fashion Week. Grew to 120 artisans.

2005 -
Partnered with Areva, a French energy multinational, deeply concerned with socio-environmental issues. They donate its wood, originated from pallets and containers from around the globe (wood which once was discarded, is now utilized to create pieces of art and design).

2006 -
High demand for coffee filter products calls for expansion - we partnered with 3 extra detention facilities in Sao Paulo, therefore employing more individuals.

2007 -
We partnered with Semear Educar. Many Brazilians subsist on low income, and parents are unable to pay for after-school programs. This organization takes young people ages 2 to 16 and keeps them ‘productively occupied’ by teaching them new skills (e.g. arts, language, dance, science...) and potential career opportunities while their parents are at work.

2008 -
Creollus sets up an office in Atlanta, GA and has its debut at Americasmart Show, exhibiting its unique work of art at the show.
Extremely successful event propels Creollus to branch out nationwide by collaborating with retail-partners that are now carrying its exclusive products in high-end establishments in major cities such as New York, DC, Charleston SC, San Francisco CA, Los Angeles CA, Atlanta GA, Boston MA, Denver CO, Houston TX, Austin TX, Miami FL, Scottsdale AZ...

2009 -
Creollus is invited to participate at the remodeling of Charleston Symphony Orchestra Designer Showhouse, Maison Du Pre Inn in Charleston SC. Its amethyst gemstone knobs are part of the Maison Du Pre Inn remodeled kitchen. New growth: 300+ artisans...

Creollus is now negotiating with major retailers in the US and abroad. Updated list of new retailers to be released soon!