Eternal Creation
Eternal Creation’s fair trade range of childrens, womens and menswear is lovingly crafted and ethically produced in the Himalayas. We work with Tibetan refugees and local Indians to create beautifully tailored outdoor and party wear, sleepwear and accessories. Kidswear sizes range from newborn to 10 years.
Conceived in 1999 by Australian designer Frances Carrington, Eternal Creation is based in Dharamsala, in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. This small hill town is a focal point for Tibetan refugees, and home to the Dalai Lama.
We run our own design and production workshop in Dharamsala, employing over 70 people spanning Tibetan, Nepalese and Indian cultures, and mixing Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim faiths.
Rather than outsource to meet growing demand, we've increased the capacity of the workshop. This provides more jobs for the local Tibetan and Indian community, as well as ensuring that our trademark high quality standards and ethical principles are maintained.
Take a tour of the workshop, meet the tailors and become part of the amazing Eternal Creation story at www.eternalcreation.com
Ethical and Environmental Policy
Eternal Creation is committed to improving the working conditions and prospects for Tibetan refugees and local Indians in the Indian Himalayas. To this end, designer Frances Carrington set up the Himalaya Tailoring Centre in the hilltown of Dharamsala.
At the Himalaya Tailoring Centre, we strive to produce the highest possible quality garments for a competitive market, while maintaining good working conditions, fair pay and high employee morale. These guiding principles inform all decisions that relate to the running of the workshop. Staff are encouraged to get involved in the decision-making process, and often offer their own suggestions and improvements.
A particular focus is womens’ employment and training. To help working mothers, we’ve established a free childrens’ creche, as well as providing maternity and paternity leave and bonuses.
The employees of the workshop are divided into 3 categories: tailors, part time staff and full time staff.
The tailors are paid monthly, based on the number of items made. The piece rates are set by the tailors themselves, based on how long each piece takes to stitch, and how many they feel they can make per day. Our costings, and hence the retail prices for the goods, are based on these piece rates, rather than allowing a predetermined retail price to dictate the piece rate.
Job security is taken very seriously. The workshop has a low staff turnover, with many of the tailors having been with us for several years. We don't follow the practice of laying tailors off during quiet periods (of which there are few!). The tailors receive paid public holidays and serious illness benefit up to 3 months. Both men and women get paid maternity leave plus a bonus.
Trainee tailors are ensured a fair minimum wage until they get up to speed, while experienced tailors can earn very good salaries for their profession. Free training schemes in English, computers and specialised tailoring techniques are provided.
Part time staff receive a monthly salary with overtime pay, paid public holidays, and the same sickness and maternity benefits as the tailors.
Full time staff receive the same benefits as the other staff with the addition of 3 weeks annual paid holiday.
We also have annual staff parties, "tailor of the month" awards and bonuses for the most improved staff members in different areas. All employees get Diwali (Indian) or Losar (Tibetan) holiday bonuses - sadly no-one celebrates christmas!
Social Networks
Eternal Creation is listed in the following categories
Clothing & Fashion / Children and babies clothesClothing & Fashion / Womenswear
Clothing & Fashion / Fair Trade Clothes
