The Lauren Bracelet

Beads

Gemma Levy, founded Moio in December of 2020. Descended from generations of Zimbabweans, Gemma has always been drawn to the rich culture of her homeland, especially to the artisan networks that embody the country's creative and vibrant spirit. On trips to Zimbabwe, Gemma often spent her days in flea markets, where she began to understand how the preservation of artistic traditions can liberate women from cycles of poverty and discrimination. She spent time learning how to bead from skilled craftspeople, with whom she has deep relationships. During the pandemic, when the fragility of the Zimbabwean artisan economy revealed itself to her, Gemma created Moio, a social enterprise that not only supports established artisan networks, but seeks to empower women without professional prospects who have faced rape, gender discrimination, abuse, poverty, etc. Gemma is committed to giving these women, not only the vocational skills necessary to become proficient beaders, but the entrepreneurial and life skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.