Price Transparency

We are committed to be entirely transparent in regard to how we make our money.

We believe customers should know what they are paying for, in order to fully understand the value
and impact of their purchases.
Given that the garment industry is the 2nd highest at-risk sector for modern slavery, we are especially
proud of sharing that most of what we make gets reinvested directly into the project or makes up
the salaries and benefits of our employees.

Yes, ethical production is not cheap, but we firmly believe that embracing a sustainable and transparent
production model allows us to prioritize a better, healthier, and more equitable future for all.

READ MORE ON OUR SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

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MATERIALS

This includes raphia, AZO-free pigments, second-hand fabric, and metal hardware – everything that goes into creating our products.Since we get our raphia from the Ankarafantsika forest through a GOTS-certified and Amorfi BSCI audited company, we pay 4 times the average market price to make sure it is a high-quality material provided by a supplier that shares our same goals and vision. We also purchase our metal hardware in Italy to ensure durability and prevent rusting or oxidizing.

MATERIALS

This includes raphia, AZO-free pigments, second-hand fabric, and metal hardware everything
that goes into creating our products.
Since we get our raphia from the Ankarafantsika forest through a GOTS-certified and Amorfi BSCI
audited company, we pay 4 times the average market price to make sure it is a high-quality material provided by a supplier that shares our same goals and vision. We also purchase our metal
hardware in Italy to ensure durability and prevent rusting or oxidizing.

ARTISANS & LABOR

We welcome women from marginalized backgrounds and provide them with an equitable salary
(81% above minimum wage and 34% above our direct competitors), social security, health insurance, and a wide range of benefits adding up to a compensation package 33% above the Malagasy living wage, as calculated using the WFTO tool.

LOGISTICS

We work on a made-to-order model. Since we ship directly from Madagascar, we avoid excess
stock and storage fees; however, because of Madagascar’s relative isolation, shipping costs can be
higher. We also pay an extra fee to our shipping company of choice to further offset our carbon
footprint.

M4W WORKING COSTS

M4W is much more than just a product, it is a community where women and their families come to feel safe.
Our working costs cover all live expenses of our atelier (bills, food, water, PPEs and hygiene products, and care packages that our employees can take home), our management costs, plus a small
fund we use for 0 interest loans and microcredit.
We also use this money to invest in our communications and marketing activities to showcase our
work and tell the stories of our women.

BOUTIQUE MARK-UP

As a startup, we work with boutiques all over the world to build awareness of our project. Since
brick-and-mortar stores have additional expenses, they usually apply a higher (x2.7-x3) markup to
wholesale price collaborating with them means having to align to these prices. However, any
excess profit that we make as a result is fully reinvested in the project to increase our impact, provide higher salaries, and help us reach our sustainability goals.

FEES & TAXES

This includes any taxes we pay locally as well as bank fees.
“In life, nothing is sure but fees and taxes”.
Benjamin Franklin

ARTISANS & LABOR

We welcome women from marginalized backgrounds and provide them with an equitable salary (81% above minimum wage and 34% above our direct competitors), social security, health insurance, and a wide range of benefits adding up to a compensation package 33% above the Malagasy living wage, as calculated using the WFTO tool.

LOGISTICS

We work on a made-to-order model. Since we ship directly from Madagascar, we avoid excess stock and storage fees; however, because of Madagascar’s relative isolation, shipping costs can be higher. We also pay an extra fee to our shipping company of choice to further offset our carbon footprint.

M4W WORKING COSTS

M4W is much more than just a product, it is a community where women and their families come to feel safe. Our working costs cover all live expenses of our atelier (bills, food, water, PPEs and hygiene products, and care packages that our employees can take home), our management costs, plus a small fund we use for 0 interest loans and microcredit. We also use this money to invest in our communications and marketing activities to showcase our work and tell the stories of our women.

BOUTIQUE MARK-UP

As a startup, we work with boutiques all over the world to build awareness of our project. Since brick-and-mortar stores have additional expenses, they usually apply a higher (x2.7-x3) markup to wholesale price – collaborating with them means having to align to these prices. However, any excess profit that we make as a result is fully reinvested in the project to increase our impact, provide higher salaries, and help us reach our sustainability goals.

FEES & TAXES

This includes any taxes we pay locally as well as bank fees. “In life, nothing is sure but fees and taxes”. Benjamin Franklin