... is a reference to all the times refugees have been called 'The Refugee' instead of the people behind it.
People forced to flee are much more than their legal status in a new country.
- and * in the logo represent that there is more behind. The people behind it.
They are capable , admirable, knowledgeable, fashionable, remarkable and much, much more.
This is the message I want to convey with The -able: to share more of people's stories through beautiful products and the narratives that accompany them.
Sådan startede det...
Det var aldrig meningen, at The able skulle blive en fysisk butik, mit fuldtidsarbejde og arbejde med over 100 kunsthåndværkere. Men jeg er så taknemmelig over, hvor vi sammen er i dag.
Det hele begynder...
I Libanon hvor jeg er i praktik på min kandidat i Sociologi i Beirut. Her får jeg mange både syriske, libanesiske og palæstinensiske venner. Og jeg begynder at tænke meget over, hvor ulige muligheder vi alle har.
Arbejde i flygtningelejre
Jeg siger mit faste konsulent-job i Danmark op og flytter til Grækenland, hvor jeg arbejder i to forskellige flygtningelejre.
Her møder jeg fortsat mange talentfulde mennesker, der mest af alt drømmer om at bidrage og blive set som de hele mennesker de er.
The -able startes
Jeg låner nogle penge af mine forældre og tager jeg til Libanon og Grækenland og mødes med de første 8 kunsthåndværkere og kooperativer. Heriblandt flere, der stadig er med.
Det er også her de første 6 firmagavekunder er med og jeg holder julemarked i min kælder med mange besøgende.
Langsom vækst - med vilje
Jeg fortsætter med at arbejde i en dansk NGO og arbejder på The -able 'ved siden af'.
Jeg deltager på en masse designmarkeder for at teste produkter og der kommer flere og flere kunder til.
Der pakkes mange(!) firma-jule-gaver i stuen og jeg tager mod til at sige op og springe ud i at arbejde med The able fuld tid.
The -able vokser
Jeg begynder at arbejde fuldtid på The able. Og efter et år fuldtid begynder jeg også at få fast løn for arbejdet.
Lageret vokser også ud af min lejlighed og jeg får nøglerne til den fysiske butik, der åbner i november 2025.
Der er 30 firmagavekunder og webshoppen vokser rigtig meget, så jeg begynder endelig at tro på, at dette ikke er 'et projekt' men en bæredygtig forretning men en stor fremtid!
- 2018
- 2020-2021
- 2022
- 2023-2024
- 2025-2026
How we work
From Survival to Thriving
We work to provide people forced to flee with greater ownership and freedom through dignified job opportunities and the creation of new communities. Many of our artisans have endured the hardships of fleeing war and conflict, losing much more than just their homes. By participating in The -able's projects, they gain the opportunity to join new social and work communities in a safe environment. This not only helps them achieve financial independence for themselves and their families but also allows them to regain control over their lives—something that is often difficult to establish in a new country, especially during the asylum process. It's about more than just surviving; it's about living fully and with dignity.
Strong Partnerships
Partnerships are at the core of The -able's work. We collaborate closely with artisans in an open design process that places their knowledge and craftsmanship at the forefront. Simultaneously, we work with local NGOs who possess deep insights into their communities and understand what is most needed. Our partnerships go beyond production; we also engage in projects like English teaching and other educational initiatives that align with the artisans' aspirations and needs. For us, partnerships are not just about creating products—they're about building a better future together. We view our relationships as long-term investments in both people and society, with a focus on achieving a lasting positive impact for everyone involved, where craftsmanship is just one of many important elements in this journey.
Caring for People and the Planet
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at The -able, but we recognize that we produce physical products. That’s why we take a thoughtful approach to minimizing our environmental footprint by using recycled materials, such as plastic from refugee camps and deadstock fabric. At the same time, we prioritize social sustainability by ensuring that our work leads to long-term improvements for the communities and people we collaborate with. Our goal is to create products that are not only durable and high-quality but also have a positive impact on both the environment and the artisans who craft them. By integrating social and environmental sustainability into every aspect of our production, we strive to create a lasting, positive impact for both people and the planet.
