Oscars glory for Hong Kong handmade children’s brand Pepper & Mint
The brand’s baby shoes and blankets are handcrafted by artisans in Indonesia and featured in this year’s Academy Awards swag bags
“It was exciting to have been involved in the energy and fun surrounding the Oscars,” says company founder Conny Wong.
It should come as no surprise that the brand, which was a finalist at last year’s Hong Kong Smart Design Awards, was included in the goody bag. The Oscars is a popular platform to speak about social responsibility – just listen to the rousing speech by this year’s best actor winner, Joaquin Phoenix ( Joker ; 2019). And social responsibility is heavily woven into Pepper & Mint’s story, with its shoes and blankets handcrafted by stay-at-home mums and dads in Indonesia.
“We have partnered with a manufacturer in Indonesia who recruits artisans across the country,” says Wong, a mother of two. “When you buy our handmade goods, you have the satisfaction of knowing that your purchase impacts the livelihood of these artisans and their families. Our handcrafters are trained for their jobs, paid fair living wages and treated with respect,” she says.
The products, which have also featured in British Vogue, are made in small batches to minimise waste.