rupalee press releases and pictures for press for download:

rupalee in Press:
2007: September Gifts and Decorative Accessories Magazine, All About GREEN Naturally Made fashion accents. Organic and sustainable glamour. Page 1 Page 2
2006: Connections News Letter. Co-Op America Business Network. Socially Conscious Christmas Decorations
2005: Global Vision Magazine Page 1, Page 2
2005: Gift and Decorative Accessories Magazine: Fair Trade makes good retail
2004: rupalee Exclusif was featured in December 2004, issue of Lifetime Magazine.
2004: New York Gifts Show Directory: Rupalee Elephant Ornaments
1999: New York Times: New Jersey State Scarf

An excerpt on rupalee Exclusifs:

Poonam Singhal

rupalee, Fair Trade with Style

v. 215.576.7188 email: info@rupalee.com

Committed to Empowerment of Women
This is a testament of how one woman can make a substantial difference in the lives of so many. Poonam Singhal, a former scientist, wanted to start a business where she would have time for her growing family and at the same time utilize her creative talents as well as contribute to the improvement of life for women in her native land of India. As a result of this desire, Singhal started rupalee Exclusifs a company that specializes in handmade ornaments and jewelry that are manufactured by women in India.

Due to unexpected trials and tribulations of running a business, Singhal decided that she wanted to close the business, however, this decision was reversed when she arrived in India to make her announcement. She realized that the women had begun to rely on her for their salaries and in turn their power to make choices in their lives. Singhal realized that there where too many people that depended on her. As a result Singhal turned rupalee Exclusifs into a grass roots company where women can empower themselves in a creative and realistic manner.

A major strength of rupalee Exclusifs is that it is able to pull its resources together to produce quality products. Experienced employees of rupalee Exclusifs train the unskilled women and provide them with the raw materials. The women would make the ornaments in their homes and rupalee would wholesale the ornaments to stores in the United States.

One of Singhal’s more memorable moments while working with the women was when she had to explain the concept of a Christmas tree and what a snow flake and a garland is in order for them to complete an order for Smith and Hawken. As a way of demonstrating their understanding of the concept, the women decorated a banana tree with dozens of garland. As one might imagine, their creation was a major cause of laughter and merriment in the village. It is moments like these that make Rupali Exclusifs such an important part of the women’s life and vise versa.

Singhal says that she has seen that empowerment comes in all different forms. It’s all about the ability to choose. She says that many of the women depend on the money to provide options for them. A simple thing like being able to buy a pair of earrings on their own without asking her family or husband is liberating. Usually, when approached to work, women of the village are not forthcoming. It takes one or two leaders within the village who have to be sought out first and employed in order for others to follow suite. Once the women realize that is an empowering experience more join in and stay on.

rupalee Exclusifs is a Fair Trade Federation member and it products are sold in fine gift stores and boutiques nationwide. Products can also be purchased at www.rupalee.com.

Fairtrade Federation Member	Coop America Member
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