From conversations I have had with people all around the world, what I have come to realize is that we all want the same things: something to believe in, health, prosperity, to belong, and opportunity. And everyone has a story to tell. Read more

This is the Malena Story…

We all want the same things – health, something to believe in, prosperity, to belong, and opportunity. And everyone has a story to tell.  This is why Flynn Coleman, an international human rights attorney with a focus on innovative approaches to economic empowerment, founded Malena. We are social enterprise that partners with groups worldwide to empower people economically. And we are so excited you are here!

The most effective way to solve the root causes of poverty and inequality, and to support everyone’s right to dignity and agency, is to provide opportunity. When we celebrate people’s skills and work, we invest in them, so they can invest in themselves how they so choose. These are their stories, and ours. In investing in them and their work, we are investing in a better future for them … and for us all.

Welcome to Malena. We can’t wait to share our adventures with you.

This is the story of how our Malena scarves are made…

Our Malena scarves are handmade by our artisan partners in Ethiopia, a female-run fair trade collective that pays a fair, sustainable income, and supports training and benefits for their artisans, who work in a beautiful, light, and airy environment.

Join us in celebrating our artisan partners and taking the journey with us to see how our scarves are made, start to finish, thread by thread.

So when you buy a Malena scarf, you not only receive a gorgeous product: You know that you have empowered and supported the artisans, families, and communities you’ve seen here. So from all of us at Malena, thank you.

Shop the Malena Collection!

Scarves, the first original Malena Collection, are our symbol for empowerment and style worldwide. In different ways, all across the globe, scarves mean something unique and special to everyone, yet they also tie us together in our common humanity. Read more

Malena is proud to partner with Umutima, a women’s cooperative in Kigali, Rwanda, that is part of the Niyamirambo Women’s Center (NWC). We have worked with Umutima to design an original Malena line of Rwandan products, all handmade in the incredible colors of traditional Rwandan kitenge fabrics. And our founder was honored to spend time with the team in Rwanda, a country very close to her heart.

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