Aarong
Aarong is Bangladesh’s leading fair trade fashion and lifestyle brand, and has been shaping fashion trends and promoting local heritage for decades.
Founded in 1978, Aarong was created as a means to generate livelihood in rural Bangladesh, and connect artisans in remote villages with consumers in urban areas. Today we have 31 stores across Bangladesh—including the world’s largest craft store—and ship globally.
Blending tradition with modern design
We partner with over 87,000 artisans—85% of whom are women. They create handcrafted textiles, jewellery, leatherwork, pottery, baskets, woodcraft, and more. At the heart of our supply chain is the Ayesha Abed Foundation, which employs over 30,000 artisans in 15 production centres and over 800 sub-centres. The foundation ensures artisans receive comprehensive benefits, including healthcare access, legal aid, gender awareness training, human rights education and retirement benefits. Artisans can access BRAC's microfinance and savings services, and their children have the opportunity to enrol in BRAC schools.
In addition to the foundation, we provide livelihoods for 57,000 artisans through a network of independent producers across Bangladesh. These are primarily small family-based workshops and cottage industries, often focusing just on one skill, such as woodwork, ensuring traditional skills are preserved and passed on to future generations.
BRIEF HISTORY
1978
Aarong opened it's first outlet in Shukrabad, Dhaka, to ensure market linkage for marginalised women
2014
E-commerce platform launched with ambitions to connect global consumers to Bangladeshi crafts.
2025
Aarong proudly inaugurated its flagship store in Dhanmondi, the world’s largest craft store
Only by putting people living in poverty in charge of their own lives will we remove poverty and deprivation from the face of the earth.””
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed
Founder, BRAC
Building a nationwide network of artisans
On September 3, 1983, the very first centre in Manikganj opened its doors—the start of what would become a nationwide network. Today, AAF operates across 14 districts of Bangladesh through 15 main production centres, more than 800 sub‑centres, and multiple specialized wings in rural and semi‑urban areas.
Over 30,000 artisans—97% of them women—are now engaged through AAF. Most work at sub‑centres close to their homes, led by local women managers, allowing them to produce embroidery and other craft value additions without leaving their communities. Products then move to the main centres, where master artisans and specialized craft sections complete the finishing steps and train new groups of women.
Beyond livelihoods – supporting resilience and dignity
Beyond regular income, AAF integrates BRAC’s social development programmes. Artisans gain access to healthcare, childcare, legal awareness, retirement benefits, and other critical services. This holistic approach ensures that women are not only earning but also enhancing their resilience and dignity within their communities.
Sustaining Aarong’s legacy
Today, the foundation remains central to Aarong’s supply chain. By combining heritage skills with structured training and support, AAF anchors Aarong’s reputation for handcrafted excellence while uplifting tens of thousands of women and their families across Bangladesh.
