Aarong – a native Bengali word, locally use for ‘village fair’ – is the most popular lifestyle retail chain of present Bangladesh. This ethical brand began in 1978 as a humble means to empower rural artisans to rise above poverty. Today, with 23 retail stores across Bangladesh and over 100 fashion and lifestyle product lines, Aarong supports 65,000 artisans with fair terms of trade. Revolutionizing the retail industry with high standards for quality and artistry, this iconic brand blends the traditional with the contemporary in ways that never cease to win consumer appeal both at home and abroad. In 1976, when BRAC– the world’s largest and number one development organization – engaged a small number of rural women to produce crafts, their only buyers were a few scattered retailers in Dhaka. Weeks, even months would pass between supply and payment, until BRAC intervened and established Aarong to pay the rural women for their goods on time. Today, holding steadfast to its original mission Aarong supports the livelihoods of 65,000 rural artisans and handicraft producers, most of whom are women. From clay pots to diamond jewellery, and silk and cotton fabrics to brass and leather merchandise, Aarong’s vast range of innovative products, backed by a robust supply chain and distribution network, makes Aarong truly a household brand in Bangladesh. Its growing presence outside of Bangladesh – through fair-trade networks and the online shop– continues to broaden the market for Bangladeshi crafts globally, creating more opportunities for artisans to protect their age-old art and livelihoods. Aarong adopts sustainable practices and is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). Our vision is to build a world free from all forms of exploitation and discrimination where everyone has the opportunity to realize their potential and our mission is to empower people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, disease and social injustice.  

Traditional Technique: