Redefining the Hero Accessory: The East Indian Label with Heart

Unisex hemp and nettle bags by Arture
Unisex hemp and nettle bags by Arture | Courtesy of Arture

Those who think the fashion industry’s love affair with humane, earth-conscious practices is just a trend might be missing the bigger picture.

“Once you start caring, it’s hard to stop,” says Shivani Patel, founder, CEO, and head designer for Arture, a premium lifestyle accessories brand that uses 100% natural cork fabrics in its ethical, sustainable approach to fashion.

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Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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The production processes behind ethical clothing might not always create headlines, but the more companies that pay attention to how their products are made—and with what materials—the more standardized these practices will become. Until change happens on a grand scale, companies like Arture set the bar for incremental adjustments.

Cork wallet by Arture

Patel, who studied accessory design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology in her native city of Chennai (formerly Madras), grew up with a father who worked in the leather-goods export industry. As Patel came of age, she experienced a “massive shift in the way [she] looked at consumption.”

The 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which killed 1,134 garment workers, had a profound effect on Patel. “It was such a huge eye-opener,” she says. “It was scary to see how the industry operates, and it helped reinforce the fact that I’m on the right path.”

Unions in Dhaka call what happened at Rana Plaza “mass industrial homicide,” according to a report from The Guardian. This report notes that the cracks in the building were so deep that, on the day of the collapse, garment workers begged “not to be sent inside,” but managers refused to halt production.

Cork wallets by Arture

In 2014, one year after the tragedy, Forbes published an article that detailed which companies had contributed to a reparation fund for the grieving families, and which had not. While retailers such as Walmart and the UK supermarket Asda donated to the cause, many, including J.C. Penney, skirted the responsibility.

The reality of what happened at Rana Plaza exists in a larger context, one where fast fashion cycles deliver new designs weekly, as opposed to seasonally. In her seminal book, Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion, Elizabeth Cline notes that fast fashion retailers are banking on consumers buying more than what they can possibly wear. At the same time, the industry vows that what happened at Rana Plaza won’t ever happen again.

Of course, Rana Plaza was not the first incident of its kind. In the US, the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire killed 145 garment workers in lower Manhattan due to shoddy building conditions. The incident appears in American history textbooks as one of the Industrial Revolution’s greatest atrocities.

Recalling the Rana Plaza tragedy, Maria Khanam, a 16-year-old from Bangladesh who lives in Brooklyn, remembers seeing “girls younger than [her]” emerging from rubble on a TV news report while her dad cried. “I had learned about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire a week before in school,” she says. The incident opened Khanam’s eyes to the safety standards that fashion labels have for their workers. Since then, she has boycotted companies with inhumane manufacturing practices.

Khanam is precisely the kind of consumer that Arture caters for. “There is a tremendous rise in awareness and consciousness in every aspect of life these days,” Patel says, speaking about the motivation behind her brand. “People care more about what they eat, their health and wellness. This mindfulness is reflected in fashion as well. People are asking more questions, forcing existing brands to start caring more, which leads to the birth of more conscious brands.”

Arture founder and head designer, Shivani Patel

Though Patel had already begun her journey with ethical manufacturing before the Rana Plaza tragedy, the incident encouraged her to pay more attention to labor welfare, not just at her own workshop, but at her suppliers’ workshops also.

Patel launched Arture in 2015 after a friend brought to her attention that there were very few high-quality or fashionable non-leather products on the market. Seeing this as a design challenge, Patel started looking for leather alternatives, but the pickings were slim. “Most non-leather alternates are either synthetics, which are not sustainable, or they’re products made with natural materials, which aren’t very fashionable in terms of design,” she says.

Then Patel discovered cork, and everything changed. She incorporated cork into her designs and “made a mark,” while simultaneously exacting what she calls “ethical production practices.”

A casual summer look

Her most recent discovery, launching SS18, uses two materials native to the Himalayan region in India: hemp and nettle. “The fabrics we use originate from Uttarakhand, India,” Patel says. “We are not the manufacturers of the fabric, but we take a lot of care to understand our manufacturers and who they work with. Aside from all the environmental benefits, these fabrics help support the livelihood of farmers and artisans.” Though Arture doesn’t work directly with farmers, the company that Patel sources her materials from does. In other words, Arture’s manufacturing model offers a sustainable alternative to sweatshops and dangerous factory conditions.

But is this accessory line fashion forward? Arture’s designs are minimalist and clean. Neutral palettes and bright pops of color distinguish the accessories line where the craftsmanship determines the aesthetic. “Treat your accessories—and clothing—with love,” explains Patel, who underscores the breadth of the relationship you can have with the items you possess. “Sustainability is not just about buying something that’s eco-friendly. It’s also about what comes after you buy stuff. Caring for every item you own extends its life, helps you shop less, and ends up creating less waste.”

Patel also incorporates a minimalist aesthetic into her dressing habits, and encourages wanderlusters on holiday to do the same. “When it comes to your clothing and accessories, always pack pieces that can be paired in multiple ways. That way, with just a few pieces of clothing you could potentially have 10 different outfits. That helps save space and enables you to travel light,” she says. Her go-to items include staple garments like a LBD and white T-shirt that help your accessories “be the hero.”

Arture’s accessories line will appeal to those who don’t like their fashion fast, but prefer it to be thoughtfully curated, and built with heart.

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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