Ethical Shopping – In Siem Reap Cambodia

by | Apr 17, 2016

I’m going to be completely honest here! I wrote and published a fantastic detailed report on Ethical Shopping in Siem Reap, Cambodia, however one small technical (operator) error and I managed to erase the entire post!! And since then, this title has sat here without any content and it has bothered me! It has taught me a valuable lesson however to write any posts in a Word document first before publishing, so I will always have a back up.

So now I am going to fill in the blank and give you some of the content I had previously published. I am going to do this quickly and it will be mostly photos with links to the social media or website of the various shops in Siem Reap. These photos will appear in no particular order.

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Soieries Du Mekong

This is a social enterprise making and selling beautiful handwoven silk scarves, empowering women in Cambodia with sustainable employment.

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Claycult Cambodia

I loved the jewellery that Claycult made and their studio was just around the corner from my Mum & Dad’s. They make ceramic beaded jewellery using the vibrant colours inspired by Cambodia.

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Rehash Trash

As with other countries, there is a massive problem with rubbish in Cambodia. Plastic bags are still the norm for every single purchase and this creates a massive landfill issue, if they even make it that far and are not just dumped by the roadside or around the town or countryside. Rehash Trash is taking these plastic carrier bags and upcycling them into something practical and useful.

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Friends International

This was a banner from the Friends International stall at the Made in Cambodia Market.

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Tonle Posters in Three Seasons

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Tonle posters in Three Seasons

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Some of the information on Tonle in store

Tonle was my personal favourite and I purchased a couple of items from their shop in the Three Seasons Boutique. They have a zero waste policy and recycle everything including the waste threads.

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Spicy Green Mango

Fair trade clothing made by independent seamstresses in Cambodia at Spicy Green Mango.

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Amazing quilting

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Bike frames & helmets from Bamboo

I wish I had bought one of these bike helmets, from Mekong+ Quilts.

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Bambou Indochine

Bambou Indochine shops seem to be popping up everywhere in Cambodia, Gary bought a Bambou polo shirt from the one in the airport and it feels lovely.

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Blush Boutique

Blush Boutique sells clothes locally designed and handmade in Cambodia.

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El Chiffon

This boutique sold a variety of some of the other brands we saw around Seam Reap, it is on Central Market Street near the Blossom Cafe which is wonderful and you should definitely check it out if you are in Siem Reap.

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Three Seasons Boutique

Three different brands under one roof, in the alleys behind Pub Street.

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Jeanius by Husk

Husk works with communities to help improve the lives of Cambodian families. Jeanius is a project using recycled jeans.

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Wild Poppy

Wild Poppy gives 5% of profits to Husk and stocks their full range. “Made responsibly in Siem Reap Cambodia.”

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Spicy Green Mango

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Bambou Indochine

IMG_0442IMG_0443IMG_0444Smateria is Italian designed bags & accessories made eithically in Cambodia using upcycled & repurposed materials such as mosquito nets.

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Saomao – Can you spot Gary at the till?

Jewellery, textiles and other gifts are sold at Saomao, which is a social enterprise.

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Natural plant dyes at The Weavers Project in the Night Market

The Weavers ProjectTo empower women through the ethical and transparent trade of beautiful handmade products. 

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Bambou Indochine

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This is an example at the Old Market of a stall full of mass produced items aimed at the tourist dollar.IMG_0453

A typical Cambodian tailors shop. I think this one was in Battambang but there are similar in Siem Reap, you can go to one of these shops and have a garment made to order.

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Kroma House at the night market

Kroma House sells the traditional Khmer scraves known as kroma.

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www.weaversproject.com

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Pile ’em high seems to be the retail ethis at the markets where the Cambodian locals shop. IMG_0457

A typical fruit stall.IMG_0458

All the shoes stall are grouped together in this market.IMG_0459

This is where Cambodian people would do most of their shopping in town.IMG_0460IMG_0461

Traditional Cambodian Herbal medicinesIMG_0462IMG_0463

These carts selling plastic baskets are a common sight.IMG_0464

More tradional Cambodian herbal medicines.

I hope you enjoyed reading this review of the Ethical Shops in Siem Reap. My original article was more informative! But if you are interested, vlick the links to find out more.

Alison xx

PS sign up for my newsletter here, so you never miss a thrilling installment! I will try not to erase any future posts!

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