Love Is Project X Ocean Sole Bracelet Collaboration

What’s love got to do with it?

…the iconic Tina Turner asked us all years ago! But she is onto something that should make us all stop and think about this question. Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit.

We are all about love at Ocean Sole!

We are passionate about the ocean, art, conservation, our team, and our mission. 

But we really fell in love when Chrissie Lam, the CEO and Founder of the Love is Project, called and wanted to collaborate and design one of her iconic bracelets designs out of our collected flip flops! 

Chrissie had a vision to create a bracelet that represented our mission of ocean conservation and the Love is Project’s mission to empower women artisans around the globe. 

Two social enterprises collaborating for the good of our planet!

Meet Eco-Warrior, Chrissie Lam & her company, The Love Is Project

Chrissie has had an impressive career, leaving behind the fast-paced hectic life of corporate fashion to follow her passion to make a difference by engaging global women artisans to make handmade bracelets with the word LOVE to spread “love” around the world.

Her passion came while visiting Kenya, our home. She met with the amazing Maasai women, learning about their meticulous beadwork, and created the original red beaded LOVE bracelet.

The Love is Project spreads the message of doing good with their handmade bracelets from over 10 countries to date.

The artisans are all women, and each purchase of a bracelet contributes to the financial independence of these women, water and food security, educational opportunities, and access to healthcare, just like we do here at Ocean Sole.

“Why LOVE? Well, in a world that can feel heavy, divided, and discouraging at times, there is only one thing that helps us to thrive—LOVE. It’s the single common thread that connects us all. So, with one small idea and one bracelet, I founded Love Is Project.” - Chrissie Lam

Chrissie has been a long-time supporter of Ocean Sole.

With her determination and high fashion background, we jointly made some beautiful flip flop bracelets. Often, we are challenged with what to do with our excess waste from our artwork, so when Chrissie suggested that we make a flip flop LOVE bracelet cuff—we jumped at the opportunity to collaborate.

These bracelets have helped us employ over 10 women dedicated to making them for the Love is Project. They are purchased as one cuff or as many to stack and show your commitment to love and ocean conservation!

Check us out on CNN and the Love is Project!

How Your Purchase Helps an Immediate Need

Traditionally, in Kenya, women were taught and raised to be stay at home wives.

Over the years, advocacy for female education & empowerment has seen a rise in women embracing independence and shunning the old age tradition of dependency on men. However, it is a struggle for African women having to fight for equality in education, employment, political seats, and overall, their place in African societies. 

Resilience is a signature trait of Kenyan women. In a country where the unemployment rate is skyrocketing every year, women have decided to use their abilities to create a source of income. 

At Ocean Sole we proudly support these women and that’s why we keep adding female employees and artists to our team. 

Each Bracelet Makes a Direct Impact & Difference

The Love Is project was headlined by women. They came together and made beautiful bracelets from recycled Flip-Flops!

To make 400 bracelets:

• 133 flip-flops were up-cycled and repurposed
• 5 ladies were at the helm of production. Many thanks to, Caroline Obonyo, Florence, Ann, Jane Onyango, and Peninah.

In the making of 1000 bracelets:

• 466 Flip-Flops were used
• 7 ladies at the wheel of production! Many thanks to: Maurine, Constance, Florence, Ann, Caroline Obonyo, Jane Onyango, and Noel.
• 840 hours of employment created!

When women come together with vision and purpose, they are unstoppable!

Thank YOU for Continuous Support

There was so much Love that went into the making of the bracelets. This entire project meant a lot to the women who worked on it.

It served as a symbol of strength, unity and a common purpose in spreading the message of conservation.

Shop Flip Flop Love Is Bracelets here!

By Maureen Simba

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Ocean Sole is a family born out of love of what we do, and what we believe in. It’s Love that makes life beautiful.

Email us at Hello@oceansoleafrica.com for custom projects, creative ideas, or just to see how to stay connected & get involved with our mission!