A PEACE TREATY is an evolving collection aimed at creating
ethically-produced, artisan-level accessories and apparel for the
luxury fashion marketplace. Born in 2008, as a personal pact between
Farah Malik, a Pakistani Muslim, and Dana Arbib, a Libyan Jew, A PEACE
TREATY creates employment for skilled artisans working in places of
socio-political strife, effectively supporting their technique and
craft while elevating their products to the level of high design for
an exclusive and international audience. Inspired by the hand-crafting
cultures of the Middle East, Asia, South America and Africa, A PEACE
TREATY was conceived when Arbib and Malik met while living in Rome.
The two discovered that they shared both a love of high fashion and a
desire to increase awareness of ancient, disappearing crafting
traditions. Intermingling Arbib’s strong background in graphic,
textile and product design with Malik’s history of developing
multimedia marketing campaigns for social justice and human rights,
they set about connecting discerning fashion connoisseurs with cache,
boutique level artifacts from places typically seen only negatively
through the media lens. Working with craftspeople in seven selected
countries and injecting life and trade back into local economies, A
PEACE TREATY also assists artisans to compete in the global economy.
Each season, A PEACE TREATY travels to a particular region and seeks
out local village artisans to re-define an accessory, creating limited
edition pieces in style unique colorways. The 2012 retail season
comprises of a jewelry collection, inspired by ritual emblems and
relics from lost cities and legendary civilizations such as the
Aztecs, Mayans, and the Tribes of the Amazon and Papua New Guinea. S/S
2012 also features vintage Japanese kimono and Art Deco inspired
scarves. SOLWARA, the fourth jewelry collection envisions a
shipwrecked castaway’s discovery of indigenous tribes and ritual
emblems. Interweaving rattlesnake tails, bones, sharks’ teeth, ropes
and twine, the collection references explorers marooned on desolate
islands amidst ancient settings, as well as movies embedded in our
popular imagination like The Blue Lagoon. In a tribute to the feral
elements of nature such as water, sand and volcanic rock, SOLWARA’s
pieces are embellished with semi-precious gems - Lapis Lazuli, White
Agate and Lava stone. A PEACE TREATY employs desert artisan families
to craft the handcarved, goldplated tribal brass pieces, using
centuries-old sustainable techniques and recycled materials. NATSU,
takes cues from elaborate handmade techniques in traditional Japanese
textiles such as Shibori, Katazome and Tsutsugaki dyeing, Katagami
stencil printing and Kasuri Ikat weaving. In collaboration with
artisan groups, A PEACE TREATY recreates these irreplaceable, one of a
kind textile treasures. Since its inception A PEACE TREATY has
designed exclusive lines for Rugby Ralph Lauren, ShopBop and Urban
Outfitters. Seasonal collections are available at www.apeacetreaty.com
and worldwide at 150 exclusive retailers such as Liberty and Saks
Fifth Avenue.
