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LIFE&FAMILY
140
April15
smateria.com
whiteandblacktrading.com
to be going to Cambodia the very next
weekend, so shewas able to see the setup
for herself. Not only did the two of us fall in
lovewith theproducts, but wewerebowled
over by the story behind the brand.
Tell us more.
Founded in 2006, Smateria is the
brainchild of two expat Italian women in
Phnom Penh – Jennifer Morellato, who
runs the creative side, and Elisa Lion,
who runs the business side of things.
Touched by the plight of disadvantaged
and exploited local workers, mainly
women, they decided to set up a self-
financed social enterprise that would
uplift the community.
Since they started it in 2005, Smateria
has grown into an international brand
that is distributed all over the world.
It also has five stores in Cambodia,
including one at each of Phnom Penh
and Siem Reap’s international airports.
As their website (smateria.com)
explains, “Smateria is not a charity
organisation but a producer that,
through its activities, demonstrates its
care for the social context in which it
operates.”
What does that mean in concrete
terms for its employees?
Put simply, Smateria is run in accordance
with First World working conditions; it’s
exactly the opposite of a sweatshop.
From what we’ve seen at first hand, we
can confirm that it has brought a whole
new ethos to the garment industry in
Southeast Asia.
All employees receive a month’s
annual leave, paid maternity leave,
a year-end bonus and private health
insurance. Some 80 percent of the
staff are young mothers; they bring their
children to work, and Smateria provides
free preschool daycare.
What’s more, Smateria outsources
work to members of its employees’
families, while financing at no interest
the sewing machines required to do the
job. Both the seamstresses and their
families receive free training, too. No
wonder people who get a job here just
don’t want to leave!
How are the bags produced?
They’re made from materials sourced
from local markets, the main one
being a light, strong, close-woven
fishing net used by local fishermen:
it’s dyed, cut and reformed in various
ways. Motorbike seat leather is another
important component.
The result is a collection of “lifestyle”
bags that’s updated every year. Apart
from women’s fashion bags, you’ll
find swim-bags, laundry bags, kids’
backpacks, household accessories
and more. The unmistakeably Italian
design shines through, and each
item is expertly constructed by skilled
seamstresses who are trained at a
Garment Industry Productivity Center,
a local project run by USAID.
As the bags are all priced under
S$110, the hope is that you might buy a
few to go with different outfits: looking
good and also
feeling
good in the
knowledge that you are supporting a
wonderful social enterprise.
It’s great for Cambodia that this sort
of business is blossoming, and we’re
thrilled to be part of its growth and
success. Though Smateria is neither a
charity nor an NGO, it’s at least as good
as one when you consider the hugely
positive spinoffs for its staff and the
wider community.
Will you be going back to
Cambodia to build houses with
your children?
I hope so; it’s a wonderful thing to do
as a family. This last time was Daisy (11)
and seven-year-old Gabriel’s first such
experience, but my eldest, Freddy (13),
has done it several times. In fact, walking
around the Phnom Penh school where
he once volunteered, I was touched to
see a photograph of him playing football
with the local children. The experience
does something for youngsters; they
come back changed for the better.
Emma’s eldest son, Jude (11), has
also done a field trip to Cambodia; and
she herself is a regular visitor, as she has
been sponsoring a Cambodian child
for some years. Our lives seem to be
intertwined with that country.
What are you looking forward to?
Apart from Smateria products being
available through our website, we’re
busy expanding into shops, too:
Motherworks at Tanglin Mall, Chillax
at Turf City and Children’s Showcase
in Cluny Court – with more to come!