IBU’S 2026 VISION & EXPANDED GLOBAL IMPACT
IBU’S 2026 VISION & EXPANDED GLOBAL IMPACT
When women earn, everyone rises.
At this pivotal moment, when the ethical fashion market is projected to grow to over $11 billion by 2030, Ibu is ready to double artisan access to our Marketplace (exactly what they tell us they need most) and open a new platform that will serve 2X the current Ibu artisan groups. That’s not all—read below for five of Ibu’s exciting strategic ventures for 2026.
Now is the moment to grow this Movement and help dedicated, talented women thrive.
A BOLD REIMAGINING OF THE MARKETPLACE EXPERIENCE
Building on the Aspen Institute gift to Ibu—the Artisan Alliance website and brand—we will create a new purpose-built retail platform.
This new e-commerce experience will introduce a broader, more inclusive range of artisan-made goods at accessible price points, and exponentially increase the number of women we can bring to a Marketplace. It will allow for wider distribution, without the demands of Ibu’s design collaboration.
Meanwhile, Ibu will continue to carry the collaborative designs beloved for over a decade, investing in the finest possible artisanal product for the luxury market. This is a game-changer in the world of the artisanal economy.
A DEEPENING IBU ATELIER INCUBATOR PROGRAM
Bank of America put their shoulder behind our work, inaugurating the SpringBOArd Ibu Atelier. Defining the future of design collaboration under the leadership of Ibu's director of design, Deniz Roth, the Atelier is reaching for the pinnacle of artisanal excellence and innovation. Curated drops from each of the ten groups will generate fifty limited-edition products annually.
Participants have already begun to receive guidance in branding, photography and video, design, and leadership, utilizing esteemed mentors in each field. In the second year, we will continue to support and scale the work of each group, while admitting ten new participants for this exceptional incubator opportunity.
2026 FRINGE ROAD ADVENTURES
SANTA FE: July 8 - 13, 2026
The world-renowned International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is joining forces with Ibu. Bringing our allies for five festive days during the July Market, we will meet over 100 vetted artisans who gather from around the world and dive into all that the Market offers, as well as other rich cultural opportunities, including the Santa Fe Opera, a private visit to Georgia O'Keeffe's home, exclusive access to museums and collectors' homes, inspiring talks, breakfast in Susan's home, and a culminating celebration with our Santa Fe friends.
INTO THE HEART OF INDIA: October 2 - 14, 2026
Our 2026 Fringe Road Adventure will build from our Holi Hai! immersion in March to offer allies an unforgettable insider adventure to India. Visiting three of our artisan partners and their communities in Aurangabad, Bangalore, and Delhi, we will dive into the surrounding culture with a behind-the-scenes, intimate journey into the heart of India.
Join us!
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: HOLI HAI!
Presented by Bank of America Private Bank on March 5, 2026
Unforgettable experiences of artistry and advocacy take place each March in Charleston, as we bring over 300 allies together from around the country for an annual flagship event. 2026 offers a vibrant celebration of women in India, serendipitously aligned with the colorful festival of Holi.
Three inspiring Global Champions will be honored, a stellar mini- summit presented by the Alicia and Wayne Gregory Family Foundation will showcase artists, artisans, and thought leaders, and a sparkling gala with runway should not be missed!
Year over year, we've grown this event into a central pillar with inspiring substance, style, and storytelling.
Don’t miss it!
WILL YOU HELP?
You can bring life-changing opportunities to ambitious women in overlooked parts of the world, so they can lift their families and communities out of poverty:
MATCH ALERT
Your dollar will go further because The Good Neighbour Fund willmatch your contribution until the end of the year,dollar for dollar,until we reach $100,000!
Whether you shop with Ibu or donate to support our artisan network, the marketplace is a multiplier: mothers invest in education and healthcare; children stay in school longer and dream bigger; women make their voices heard and participate in household decision-making; cultural heritage is preserved and celebrated; communities become more stable and resilient; and economies grow. We all stand to benefit.
Thank you for donating and building this world with us!
About ibu
Global Fashion marketplace
Providing a marketplace for women's artisanal goods is our most effective tool for elevating women out of poverty and into a position of sovereignty over their lives.
ARTISAN PARTNERS
A small team in Charleston, SC, Ibu collaborates with over 100 women's groups in 40 countries,providing living wages, and because of that, also self-respect, a voice in their communities, and food for their families.
CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS
We respond to the needs of women’s artisan communities through our grants program, thereby strengthening their internal capacity to grow into self-sufficiency.