Aarong
ABOUT Aarong
Today, few urban consumers will argue that Aarong is the local Mecca for deshi handicraft. Aarong’s product designs has brought consumer attention back to the products and styles that are indigenous to Bangladesh, its designers blending the traditional with the contemporary in a manner that has won instant consumer appeal, starting a revolution in trends that has now been taken up by countless other boutiques and stores. Aarong’s product designs focus on the diverse types and textures of crafts and patterns that have been passed along from generation to generation among weavers and artisans in craft hubs around the country.
Aarong also plays the role of protector and promoter of traditional Bangladeshi products and designs. It houses an extensive design library where remnants of our rich craft heritage, such as Nakshikantha art and Jamdani patterns, have been widely researched and archived for present as well as future use.
THE HISTORY
Aarong began as a cause – a means to an end for a quiet organisation fighting to uphold the dignity of the marginalized. In 1976, when BRAC- a Bangladeshi NGO dedicated to alleviating poverty and empowering the poor, first began encouraging sericulture for women in Manikganj, their only buyers were a few scattered retailers in Dhaka. Weeks, even months would pass between supply and payment, until BRAC intervened. Aarong was born out of a need to ensure that the penniless silk farmers of Manikganj were paid for their goods upon delivery, so that they could feed their families.
Today, Aarong’s reach has spread beyond Manikganj to the rest of the country. It has grown into a thriving international enterprise showcasing ethnic wear to beautiful crafts from silks, handloom cotton, endi to terracotta, bamboo, jute and much more. From a single shop, Aarong has grown into one of Bangladesh’s biggest retail chains, with eight stores spread across the major metropolitan areas of the country – in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna and Sylhet and one in London, UK.
Aarong RETAIL OUTLETS
Aarong Centre (Head Office)
Aarong Flagship Outlet, Uttara
ARTISANS
Holding steadfast to its original mission, Aarong today supports the lives and livelihoods of nearly sixty five thousand rural artisans and handicraft producers, 85% of whom are women. More than forty thousand of these women work directly for Aarong in its 13 production centers in Baniachong, Gorpara, Jamalpur, Jessore, Kushtia, Manikganj, Rajbari, Sherpur, and Pabna, Pollobi, Kurigram, Nilphamary, Jhenaidah and 653 subcentres spread across Bangladesh.
Twenty five thousand independent cooperative groups and traditional family-based artisans also market their crafts through Aarong. Potters, Brass Workers, Jewellers, Jute workers, Basket Weavers, Handloom Weavers, Silk Weavers, Wood Carvers, Leather workers and various artisans with specialized skills from all over the country come to Aarong for marketing and support services.
PRODUCT LIST
*Men
Traditional
Executive Shirts
Maanja
Fotua
Short Kurta
T-shirts
Stoles/Shawls
Sandals
*Women
Traditional
Western (TAAGA)
Nightwear
Shawls/Scarves
Shoes ( Leather)
Bags ( Leather)
Fabrics
*Children
Clothes
Toys
Books
Shoes
*Home Textile
Bed
Table
Living
Kitchen
Kids
Rugs
Fabrics
*Home Accessories
Bed-Table
Lamps
Photo Frames
Table-Coasters
Napkin
Rings
Mats
Trays
Diningware
Cutlery
Bowls and Platters
Living-Photo
Frames
Bookends
Boxes
Decorative
Hammocks
Plant
Accessories
Candles
Kitchen-Aprons
Kitchen
Mits
Cookbook Stand
Lamps
*Jewelry
Gold (Gold)
Silver
Pearl
Other
*Leather
Shoes
Bags/Wallets
Belts
Boxes
Photo Frames
Office
*Terracotta
Decorative
Dining
Bowls and Platters
Diningware
Glasses/Mugs
Hot Plates
Pitchers
Lamps
Plant Accessories
*Bamboo/Cane/Leaf
Living
Boxes
Photo
Frames
Dry
Decorative
CD
Racks
Floor Mats
Dining
Mats
Napkin
Holder
Trays
Place
Mats
Coasters
*Metal
Living
Boxes
Photo
Frames
Dry
Decorative
CD
Racks
Floor Mats
Dining
Mats
Napkin
Holder
Trays
Place
Mats
Coasters
*Candles
Pillar
Floating
Decorative
Seasonal
*Jute
Decorative
Boxes
Photo
Frames
Baskets
Personal Accessories
Bags
Sandals
*Ceramics
Decorative
Plates and Saucers
Bowls and Platters
Mugs and Cups
Teapots
*Nakshi Kantha
Decorative
Wall hangings
Christmas decorations
Fashion
Men’s
Women’s
Children’s
Bed
Bed Covers
Cushions
Quilts
Table
Tea Cosy
Table Cloth/Napkin
Mats
Personal Accessories
Bags
Optical Cases
*Paper
Cards
Stationery
Wrapping Paper
*Wood
Decorative
Photo Frames
Wall Hangings
Candle Stands
Vases
Living
Shelves and Racks
Mirrors
Table
Bowls and Platters
Cutlery
Trays
Napkin Holders
*Glass
Table
Glasses and Cups
Pitchers
Bowls