BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A BETTER FUTURE
When GNGR Bees came to life, we knew it wasn’t going to be an easy journey. There was much to be redefined in how fashion (and other products) are produced and consumed and simply manufacturing our products better than others was not good enough
In this journey, we have discovered endless possibilities and met incredible people whose passions and values align with ours and so, partnerships have become an essential part of the work we do. Recognising that we, alone, are not able to change the world, and that it takes everyone, together, to do so is how we create and achieve more.
For most - a foundation is a way to “off set” unsustainable practices they may carry through their companies or to buy social credit and look better in the eyes of the public. At GNGR Bees, the empowerment and support we give to the world and all around us is entrenched in the very essence of what we do. Everything is created for a purpose and is dedicated to empower projects, causes and communities.
Learn more about the projects we have created and the incredible organisations and people we support:
WHAT
The hive was created in alignment with the values of honesty and transparency we nurture through GNGR Bees and to allow you to directly thank the people in our supply chain for creating your eco warrior clothing.
Launched by Fashion Revolution, #whomademyclothes is an important initiative that upholds businesses to show what is behind their curtains. At GNGR Bees though, our doors are always open, so we invite you to know each and every person responsible for getting your garment to you after it has been designed by our director Nathalia Grisard.
HOW
We have traced our entire supply chain so you are able to see everyone involved in the journey: from our textile purchaser to the quality control and packaging management team. Knowing the people behind your garment is easy, you can check them in your clothing label and then meet them below!
HOW TO SAY THANK YOU
Empowering the people that work with us and make our ideas come to life - which in turn enables us to support many other projects and communities we have and partner with - is how we have been able to create and maintain a healthy relationship with out suply chain. Everyone that works for us, is known by us and has their voices heard. It is because of that, that we are able to together bring new ideas to life and to support one another in unique ways.
We believe empowerment, support and education is how we change the world together and so from now on, every time you purchase a product created by the Hive, GNGR Bees will give thanks directly from you to them by giving part of our profits back into the hive workers.
MEET THE HIVE
JINXIU OUYANG - MANAGEMENT
HAIFENG JIANG - PATTERN MASTER
XIAO XIAO - TEXTILE PURCHASER
LAZHEN LEE - SAMPLE SEWING MASTER
GUOCHAROA RAO - CUTTING MASTER
CHAOJIAN FAN - CUTTING MASTER
DONGFA CHAN - LEADER OF PRODUCTION
Qinghua LIU - SEWING MASTER
XIAOCUI LUO - SEWING MASTER
GUIHUA ZHAN - SEWING MASTER
WEI GONG - SEWING MASTER
SONGZHEN ZHEN -SEWING MASTER
LAICHANG CHAN- SEWING MASTER
JIE LAN -SEWING MASTER
XUEFEI ZHU- SEWING MASTER
ZURONG HUANG - SEWING MASTER
CHUNRONG ZHAO- QUALITY CONTROL
JING CAI - QUALITY CONTROL
XIAOLI LIU - PACKAGING MANAGEMENT
XIAN LUO - IRONING HANDLING
TINGBI MENG - QUALITY CONTROL
FENFANG KUANG - QUALITY CONTROL
SHIXUI LUO - QUALITY CONTROL
WHAT
The nursery project is tied up to our carbon collection. It supports the plantation of trees to promote reforestation and resto- ration of biodiversity in areas around Nuku’alofa, in Tonga, as well as the development of a community garden created to promote food security in the community.
WHY
There are many factors that made us decide to create this project. Trees are of extreme importance to our planet as they act like “vacuums” - they are seen as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide through their leaves and releasing back clean oxygen into the atmosphere, reducing the effects of climate change. With that being said, our aim is not only to put trees on the ground, but to truly rehabilitate the ecosystem so we can see both fauna and flora thrive together.
As part of this project, we support two things: native trees (cedar tree, frangipani, heilala, pandanus palms) nursed and then transferred to areas needing rehabilitation and native fruit trees (such as mangoes, coconut palms, breadfruit trees & banana trees) as well as vegetables grown in a small garden that are given to the community for food security.
Tonga is a small but beautiful island in the Pacific whose habitants are nothing but an absolute joy to be around and ex- tremely welcoming. The population consists of mostly subsistent farmers however their food, land and diet has seen a big shift since other countries started exporting tinned food to the country (mutton flaps) which greatly contributed to obesity, and their land often gets cleared for agriculture settlement.
HOW
This project was launched in July 2020 with the support of two people, Pita Faiva Taufatofua, who is an Agricultural sci- entist, and Nili Tui’pulotu a farmer that uses different types of organic agriculture methods and incorporates waste into his creations (a man after our own heart!).
Pita is not only the best person to carry assessment on land but also has extensive knowledge of the best environmental practices and how to best rehabilitate the ecosystem. Together with Nili, who works on the fruit crops and has kindly do- nated a space on his farm to cater for our fruit seedlings, they work to source, plant and identify land to carry this project forward as well as manage how the fruit and vegetables are distributed to the community.
WHAT
The clean water project is a partnership between GNGR Bees and Nara Guichon - a Brazilian artisan that resides in the Island of Florianopolis, Santa Catarina. Nara has devoted her life to reduce waste in the ecosystem and part of this mission includes caring for waste that ends up in the oceans. Together, we have created the Nexit bag - a sports bag made from 100% rescued fishing nets just for you.
WHY
It is estimated that by 2050 we will have more plastic in the sea than fish, and although its common knowledge single-use plastic bottles, plastic bags and packaging make a big percentage of this waste, nothing is compared to fishing nets, which alone account for 50% of waste in our oceans.
Other than killing marine life and disrupting and killing corals, fishing nets also shed micro plastics, which affect even the smallest beings in our oceans and then in turn, us, humans who eat seafood.
This is an issue far beyond measure which is extremely worrying for the future of both humans and animals - an issue that needs to be tackled hands on. .
HOW
In partnership, we rescued these nets with the help of fishermen from the coast of Brazil and processed them so they were clean and safe to wear. They were then designed to be comfortable, durable and handmade into the perfect size bags you see today using fishing nets only and tested to endure weight so you can carry whatever you want!