The TALI Story
A celebration of diversity and creativity
TALI´s co-founders, Liza Morales Crespo and Marielle de Leon-Lazaro, represent the new wave of social entrepreneurs that merge quality production and design with the principles of sustainability. Liza Crespo is the Design Director of Liza Crespo Ecotecture, a leading design agency in sustainable architectural design with offices in Manila and New York. Marielle de Leon-Lazaro works in manufacturing and importing corporate products in the Philippines, and has many years of experience in designing and producing clothes and accessories for the retail market.
Both working mothers, Liza and Marielle were inspired to kickstart TALI when they first visited the female inmates of a city jail in the Philippines. Wanting to make a difference in these women´s lives, they began teaching them simple design patterns and eventually employed them to bring their original bag designs to life. Eventually, the project turned into a true social enterprise focused on empowering women at the grassroots level.
Linking Lives
Empowering women through their craft
At the heart of TALI are the special women who create every TALI product by hand, in the tradition of true craftsmanship.
These women live in impoverished rural communities in the Philippines, some living with disabilities with little opportunity to work.
Through the Tali Handmade Project, they have been given a second chance at a decent life through TALI´s sustainable enterprise. By honing their skills and earning wages, they are able to send their children to school, put food on their table and build a roof over their heads.
Taken from the Filipino word which means “to tie”, TALI remains true to its essence by creating strong bonds – the ties that bind and connect women globally.
