As we look forward to the New Year ahead, we want to take a moment and reflect on the last. We're proud of what we were able to accomplish in 2020, from launching our 100% Made in Kenya textile line, to developing new hand-dyed batik textiles with Edwina's team in Ghana, to SOLIDS (wwwhat?!), but we also want to take time to recognize the immense struggles and challenges that have brought us closer in unplanned and rewarding ways. It's been a difficult year for everyone, and we couldn't be more grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm -- YOU are the reason why we have the privilege to do what we do, and YOU have enabled us to keep our doors open, our teams in the US, UK and Kenya safely employed, $42,300 donated to Give Directly's Kenya Covid-19 Fund, the Equal Justice Initiative, the Voter Participation Center and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and more than 15,000 masks donated to Penda Health and Jacaranda Health in Nairobi, AND countless individuals brightening our days in colorful frocks around the world! Thank you.
NOW, FOR THE FEEDBACK PART:
As you know, we're a pretty small team, and we're lucky enough to hear all the comments and suggestions that pass our way. We wanted to call out a few common requests and let you know the status, before we ask for your time and input below.
First off, many of you have asked for a longer length dress option, and we ARE planning to put that into action. The reason we haven't just yet is because frankly, we're a little worried about order mix-ups! We'll get it done, we promise, and there's a question in the survey below about the best way forward. Secondly, we know that we're short on certain sizes, but we want to know how short--we'd love to hear how many of you have missed out on your size being available in the print that you wanted, so that we know generally how many more units to produce! Finally, for our international (non US/CAN) customers, we'll be making some changes because of Brexit and we'd love to hear from you about your shipping experience, cost and comfort level!
*If you have comments that are not included or possible to answer in full in this survey, please email us at heyzuri@shopzuri.com.
ZURI HOLIDAY ZOOM RECAP!
If you were ever curious who you might meet at one of our shops, here's a pretty special visual!! We had a fabulous group of women who joined us; mothers, daughters and sisters, as well friends old and new, all the way from San Francisco to Berlin! We really loved connecting with you, and knowing that a few of you have already connected with each other! Thank you ALL for sharing your time and spirit! What a fabulous way to ring in 2021! ❤️
WHAT WE'RE READING // Katy: A Short Story by Bryan Washington
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We love two things: bakeries and short stories. So imagine our delight when stumbling upon this story by Bryan Washington published yesterday in the Guardian! A brief history of the relationship between two gay friends in Katy, Texas, told through dialog and pastry, the characters feel just as real as the palmier I ate just after reading it. Bon apétit!INSTA CORNER! WHO WE'RE FOLLOWING: @NUR_CERAMICS
We've had the pleasure of meeting Dina several times, both in Kenya and New York, and we've loved following the evolution of her work over the last few years. UM ANDDD, if you'd like to join us for tea-time on Bleecker Street, her chalices your herbal brew shall hold!
WHAT WE'RE LISTENING TO // THEE LEGACY
This love song (sung in both Zulu and English by South African acapella singers Thee Legacy) is just SO GOOD. If you love Ladysmith Black Mombazo (ANDDD I'll just throw this out there: Boys to Men?!), transport yourself to a sweeter place and time with this track. Let's all go there, shall we?
ARTIST OF THE WEEK // DICKENS OTIENO
Nairobi-based artist Dickens Otieno’s tapestries both use and draw attention to the potential beauty in objects that would otherwise be dismissed as useless. His work has literally stopped me in my tracks--it's a thing of beauty, structure, and movement. I hope you'll enjoy learning about his work and his process!
