April 14, 2020
While the focus today is on Covid-19 and its impact on every facet of life, it doesn’t make the need for sustainable products any less important.
Buxton Hanley is bringing Design Team’s colourful range to Australia, and managing director Caryn Hanley says the brand is the perfect fit for the business.
“We are constantly looking for unique ranges that are sustainably produced by companies that are also genuinely involved in giving back to either their communities, the environment or both,” she explains. “Design Team does all of this and so much more.”
Having recently visited the factory and met the team there, Hanley says she felt inspired by the sense of purpose and family-like camaraderie throughout the business. “That same energy flows into every item in the Design Team range.”
The collection includes a variety of modern, functional bags and a very distinctive homewares offering. Every item they produce has the same distinct features―feel-good design, good quality and African inspiration, says Hanley.
Seventeen years ago Design Team partnered with PepperTree. Besides sharing the same values of honesty, sustainability, passion, grit and human empowerment, PepperTree sourced all the fabrics used to produce its popular range from Design Team. It was therefore a natural progression for the two to join forces under one brand.
“We now have the opportunity to continue the Peppertree and Design Team stories under one roof and under the Design Team brand which encapsulates everything we believe in and everything that gets us up in the morning,” says Design Team’s owner, Graeme Malcolm.
All their signature bold, bright designs are created by Lise Butler, who has been at the heart of the business for 19 years. The majority of the fabrics are hand printed on site.
The bags are available in a broad selection of designs and colourways from cosmetic and toiletry bags to back packs and duffle bags. In addition to the fabric collection which was first revealed to the Australian market in the last few weeks, the company also produces a range of leather bags.
The rapidly expanding homeware range comprises table runners, napkins, tablecloths, aprons, oven gloves, and holders all in Design Team’s signature colours and patterns, with some exciting new ranges planned for later this year.
“At a time like this when there is so much going on in the world that is negative, we couldn’t be happier to be partnering with a company that has the ability to bring so much brightness to its staff and all of its customers,” says Hanley.