Cooperative Anthology

Building A Sustainable Future

While Anthology Textiles was born out of a love of beautiful Moroccan textiles, our mission has always been about supporting and celebrating the talented artisans while providing our customers sustainably sourced and ethically crafted products that are both durable and beautiful.  As we embarked on this journey, we’ve met many amazing artists who create pieces that align with that mission. And while we are excited to continue working with our partner co-ops, we believe that managing the full process within our own cooperative is the most effective way for us to meet both our mission and customer expectations. 

We want every aspect of Anthology Textiles to empower the artisans, provide financial benefit, and create opportunities for growth. Establishing our own cooperative was initially a long-term dream; something we would start thinking about in a couple years. During the year it took us to set up our business - initial research, planning and embarking on our first buying trip, export/import shipping logistics, communicating with our artisans - we relied exclusively on our Moroccan partner, Abdo, to facilitate everything in Morocco.   During this year-long adventure, Abdo has become a dear friend and invaluable business partner; he has shared with us his family’s history as nomads in M’Hamid el Ghizlane, located in the southern Sahara Desert, giving us a profound appreciation for their way of life. While in Morocco, Abdo’s family welcomed us into their home for the days we spent in the desert, sharing their weaving expertise while teaching us the techniques through weaving our own mini Boucherouite rug. They showed us how they shear the sheep, clean and process the raw wool by hand, and finally, some of the oversized handwoven blankets they have made with that wool. 

We learned early on the significance of sharing a meal with the families and co-ops we visited. The meals are abundant - drawing a group of family, friends and neighbors - and served family-style with a large central dish full of couscous, veggies, and meat.  During our visit in M’Hamid, we shared a meal with all the women and girls who had taught us about their weaving that morning.  Without Abdo as our translator, we taught each other simple words in our own languages and laughed as we struggled with pronunciation. After lunch, we shared the gifts we brought for each other - toys and kites for the children, skincare and fragrant soaps for the women, and a soccer ball for the boys. The Achour’s had gifts for us as well - beautiful handwoven scarves, embroidered caftans, and from the younger girls, beaded phone accessories and lovely woven hanging ornaments reminiscent of dream catchers.  Material wealth is not important here, but their richness in tradition, resilience, and community is priceless. The deep-rooted connection to their village and culture is inspiring.  

On our final morning in M’Hamid, before heading to Marrakech, we met with family elders to discuss the possibility of forming our own cooperative with the Achour family and other families in the village of M’Hamid.  Their interest and support solidified our decision, and Abdo began to move things forward. A few months later and back home in the US, Cooperative Anthology was officially registered in Morocco.

Next Steps: Expanding Our Vision

The immediate next step for us is to begin sourcing the local wool and other materials needed for the artisans to weave both rugs and blankets to be sold exclusively here at Anthology Textiles. As production is underway and we begin to expand, our goal is to acquire our own sheep to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of our supply chain. 

Looking further ahead, we dream of building a net-zero, fully sustainable co-op space—a place where women can gather, create, and collaborate. This envisioned space will include:

• A workshop area with multiple looms.
• A gallery and sales space to showcase and sell the artisans’ work.
• A communal gathering area where women can work together and build community.
• Essential amenities like a bathroom and an outdoor garden.
• A nearby space for sheep, ensuring a sustainable wool supply.

Our journey is only just beginning, and we have big goals ahead. The formation of Cooperative Anthology marks a major milestone, and we’re excited to keep pushing forward, creating lasting impact and opportunities. Stay tuned as we continue building this dream—one handcrafted textile at a time.