Revive hosts Q&A with Guatemalan fair trade community educators

When making a well-informed and ethical retail purchase, a consumer may run through a mental list of questions such as: Where was my item crafted? Who created my item and how does my purchase make an impact?

On Thursday, Sept. 22, from 6–8 p.m., Revive Eco-Boutique, 2248 Lee Road, hosts an event to help answer these questions through a Q&A and discussion in partnership with Mercado Global.

Olga Morales and Aurora Maricela Mátzar López, Mercado Global’s Community Based Education program coordinators, will travel from Guatemala to Cleveland Heights to share and discuss how local onsite action and partnerships throughout the world, including with Cleveland's Case Western Reserve University and Case Medical Center, have helped improve the lives of more than 450 women by furthering their education and skills set.

Established in 2004 by Cleveland Heights native Ruth DeGolia, Mercado Global empowers rural indigenous Mayan women to break the cycle of poverty by connecting them and their craftsmanship to international markets, fostering sustainable livelihoods, and pioneering a socially-responsible business model within the fashion industry.

Mercado Global creates a variety of products such as bags, clutch purses and pouches featuring the famous traditional Guatemalan hand-loomed fabric. These timeless cultural techniques are preserved using the back strap loom and the foot loom. Items are finished with a variety of unique details including leather tassels and piping.

The event includes a reception and trunk show featuring the Mercado Global fall/winter collection of handmade bags for purchase. The collection will be exclusively available at Revive through Sept. 25.

For more information, visit www.ReviveStore.com or call 216-371-2778.