Ali Lamu is a business transforming old sails and other recycled items into artwork and handbags.
Made with love...Ali Lamu's creations —
Ali Lamu is a business transforming old sails and other recycled items into artwork and handbags.
Courtesy Jessica Ellis / CNN
Based on the beautiful Kenyan island of Lamu, the company is well known for its designs featuring big red hearts.
Made with love...Ali Lamu's creations —
Based on the beautiful Kenyan island of Lamu, the company is well known for its designs featuring big red hearts.
Ali Lamu
Lamu fisherman Ali Omar is the co-founder of the business.
Made with love...Ali Lamu's creations —
Lamu fisherman Ali Omar is the co-founder of the business.
Jessica Ellis/CNN
Together with Daniela Bleattler, they set up Ali Lamu in 2008.
Made with love...Ali Lamu's creations —
Together with Daniela Bleattler, they set up Ali Lamu in 2008.
Ali Lamu
The main material they use is a canvas called tanga in Swahili, the old sails from the fishermen's traditional boats.
Made with love...Ali Lamu's creations —
The main material they use is a canvas called tanga in Swahili, the old sails from the fishermen's traditional boats.
Courtesy Jessica Ellis / CNN
The company creates anything from whimsical paintings and high-end handbags to beautiful bed covers and cushions
Made with love...Ali Lamu's creations —
The company creates anything from whimsical paintings and high-end handbags to beautiful bed covers and cushions
Courtesy Jessica Ellis / CNN
Ali Lamu's creations are usually adorned with thoughtful and uplifting messages promoting love, peace and care for the environment.
Made with love...Ali Lamu's creations —
Ali Lamu's creations are usually adorned with thoughtful and uplifting messages promoting love, peace and care for the environment.
Courtesy Jessica Ellis / CNN
"I just close my eyes and see what the day brings," says Bleattler, describing how she comes up with the messages.
Made with love...Ali Lamu's creations —
"I just close my eyes and see what the day brings," says Bleattler, describing how she comes up with the messages.
Jessica Ellis/CNN
Ali Lamu says it has 34 permanent staff and sometimes employs as many as 70 people.
Made with love...Ali Lamu's creations —
Ali Lamu says it has 34 permanent staff and sometimes employs as many as 70 people.
Courtesy Jessica Ellis / CNN
The company has a couple of workshops on the island but most of the craftsmanship is done in the artisans' homes.
Made with love...Ali Lamu's creations —
The company has a couple of workshops on the island but most of the craftsmanship is done in the artisans' homes.
Jessica Ellis/CNN
These are people who are usually Omar's family members, friends and other local fishermen.
Made with love...Ali Lamu's creations —
These are people who are usually Omar's family members, friends and other local fishermen.
Courtesy Jessica Ellis / CNN
Ali Lamu sells its designs from a small boutique, mostly to tourists, as well as online. "We do survive because of exports, otherwise we wouldn't make it," says Bleattler.
Made with love...Ali Lamu's creations —
Ali Lamu sells its designs from a small boutique, mostly to tourists, as well as online. "We do survive because of exports, otherwise we wouldn't make it," says Bleattler.
Ali Lamu
Lamu, located off the Kenyan coast, is a stunning island that has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Island paradise —
Lamu, located off the Kenyan coast, is a stunning island that has been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
TONY KARUMBA/AFP/Getty Images/file