Ibu Movement Launches Ibu Atelier to Expand Global Market Access for Women Artisans

New incubator programme, supported by Bank of America, connects artisan enterprises with design expertise, business training and international retail opportunities

Ibu Movement, the global nonprofit marketplace that connects women artisans in more than 50 countries with international consumers, has announced the launch of Ibu Atelier, a new artisan incubator programme created with support from Bank of America.

The initiative supports 10 women-led artisan enterprises by providing professional design collaboration, leadership and business training, and direct access to international retail markets. The programme's debut capsule collection is now available through ibumovement.org.

Presented by Bank of America, the Ibu Atelier programme incorporates resources from the Aspen Institute's Artisan Alliance. Textile designer Deniz Roth worked directly with each participating artisan group to co-create capsule collections that retain traditional craftsmanship while addressing the requirements of contemporary global markets.

The first collection was introduced during a runway presentation earlier this year, marking the first international fashion showcase for many of the participating artisan groups.

"When I sat with the kalamkari artists of DWARAKA, the Himroo weavers of LoomKatha and the embroiderers of Queen Amina, I wasn't looking at source material. I was looking at masters," said Deniz Roth, director of design and production. "The Ibu Atelier collection is their work refined for a new audience, but never compromised."

"Ibu was founded on the belief that the most powerful force for change in a woman's life is the dignity of earning," said Susan Hull Walker, founder of the Ibu Movement. "The Atelier takes that belief and scales it, not as charity, but as a partnership. These women are not beneficiaries. They are entrepreneurs, designers and economic leaders."

According to the announcement, Bank of America's investment supports the incubator's design infrastructure, business and branding training for participating artisan groups, and the commercial launch of the debut collection.

"Through our partnership with Ibu Movement and support of the SpringBOArd Ibu Atelier program, we are investing in collaborative design, leadership development and market access to help talented artisans build sustainable enterprises," said Soamoya Rankins, Bank of America Private Bank Southeast Division performance executive. "This work preserves cultural heritage, strengthens local economies and represents meaningful economic empowerment in action."

Participating Artisan Groups

Queen Amina (available now)

Location: Zaria City, Nigeria
Craft: Hausa Embroidery

Named after the 15th-century warrior queen of Zaria, Queen Amina presents traditional geometric Hausa embroidery from northern Nigeria. Its Ibu Atelier debut marks the collective's first presentation to an international fashion audience, extending Ibu's artisan network in West Africa into additional markets.

DWARAKA

Location: Srikalahasthi, India
Craft: Kalamkari

Established by Anita Reddy in 1998 with 18 women from a community facing debt and poverty, DWARAKA has expanded into a collective of approximately 1,000 artisans engaged in preserving hand-painted kalamkari using natural dyes. Each product requires a minimum of two weeks to complete.

The organisation received a $15,000 grant through the Ibu Atelier programme.

"It was as if the missing piece had been found," said Reddy. "We will now transform the region of Srikalahasthi."

LoomKatha (available now)

Location: Aurangabad, India
Craft: Himroo Weaving

LoomKatha continues the Himroo weaving tradition of Aurangabad, a historic silk-and-cotton textile craft with origins in the Mughal courts. Working alongside artisan partner Arushi Chowdhury Khanna, the group created a capsule collection that adapts traditional Himroo designs for international audiences.

The collections from Queen Amina and LoomKatha are currently available. The DWARAKA collection is scheduled to launch in June 2026, with pre-orders open through ibumovement.org. According to the organisation, proceeds will support Ibu's nonprofit activities and contribute to the operational growth of artisan partners worldwide.