How buying Miou knitwear can help make the world a better place

In recent years there has been a revolution as people have embraced the concept of healthier living and started demanding products that don’t harm our environment, our loved ones, or the workers who made the products. 

Yoga and organic food have now become mainstream, but aside from living a healthy lifestyle and eating well, that consciousness extends to consumers wanting to know where the products they buy really came from, how they were produced and whether or not the people that produced them were treated fairly. In short, consumers care about the ethical relationships between employers and employees, which is why the term “Fair Trade” is coming up everywhere from coffee to chocolate to designer jewellery.

At Miou, we believe in creating a product that supports this vision of a healthier, happier world. The vision starts with the women who create the products by hand in their homes in Peru and ends with the consumers buying beautiful and unique knitwear that will not only keep cherished children warm and dry, but will also give people the peace of mind of knowing they are helping support a mother in another country support her own children.  

Workers at Miou receive a fair wage that enables them to clothe and feed their children, and Miou also donates 5% of the profits to the knitters for their children’s education. Education can make a critical difference in a child’s life in developing countries, and every mother wants their children to have this opportunity.

Miou also wants to help leave the world a better place for the next generation, and by using eco-friendly, natural Alpaca wool they are ensuring that they aren’t using up the Earth’s resources. 

Miou is committed to being a responsible and ethical employer. You can rest easy that by choosing to buy from Miou you are not only choosing to support women and children in developing countries but you are helping keep us all on the path to making a better world!

The latest pieces laid out and ready for Christine Dubin and Maria to look over. After spending several years carefully designing the styles and choosing the perfect colours, Christine has created a collection of charming, classic knitwear with a European twist. 

Meeting with the women, hearing their stories and giving a face to the employees is an important aspect of Miou and encourages a positive working relationship between Christine and the talented knitters who help make her vision come to life 

The women take great pride in knitting these beautiful sweaters as part of a supportive community. Being able to work from home means their children can still be a top priority in their lives, a value that Miou believes in strongly.

Left to right: Gregoria Salamanca De Flores, Yaneth Sarita Fernandes Cruz, Elva Monica Quispe Gomes, Rufina D. Ramos Ninaraqui, Elisa Cutipa Huanca, Ninfa Arohuanca de Pari, Luz M Ari Yucra, Gumercinda Flores Catuna, Brijida Quispe Cahuana, Cleofe Velasquez Figueroa, Corina Inquilla Cutipa

Seated, right to left: Teodocia Miranda Mamanchura, Celina Quispe Ari, Hilda Cossi De Taqui

Constantina Flores Salamanca inspects her handiwork while Elva Moniqua Gomes shares a lighthearted moment with the other knitters. These women carry with them many generations of knowledge and experience, passed down from mother to daughter, and their expertise and artistry is apparent in each and every piece of Miou knitwear.

Tomasa Flores Salamanca holds little Cristofer Joseph Huamancoli Ponce, who is wearing one of Miou’s soft, handmade sweaters. What better place to test new designs than with the knitter’s own children?

Christine Dubin’s daughter Adele (centre) adapted quickly to her new surroundings on her visit to Peru and truly enjoyed her time with the other children. 

Left to right: Angela D Ponce Quispe, Maria D. Ninahuaman Flores, Luz Marina Ari Yucra, Adele Kooyman, Ayda Ponce Flores, Cristofer J Huamancoli Ponce

Gumercinda Flores Catura steals a cuddle from her active daughter Maria for a quick moment before Maria runs off to play again.

Luzmila Arohuanca is happy to be using her expert knitting skills while working at a job that allows her to spend time with her baby Maryori Choquehuanc a Arohuanca.

Christine Dubin, creator of Miou, chats with a Hilda Cossi De Taqui. Christine believes in the importance of nurturing and caring for children so the world can produce a healthy, loving and socially conscious new generation. On a recent trip to Peru to meet with the knitters she brought her youngest daughter along on the trip.

Little Maryori Choquehuanca Arohuanca looks adorable in her Miou sweater.