Gundara are Gunda and Jean Amat Amoros. Since 2009 Jean and Gunda design leather bags and have them produced by artisans in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Zambia.

How it all began

Jean and Gunda met in Kabul in 2005. In the beginning of 2006 they discovered the workshop of Master Yaqub. Gunda started desiging a few bags for herself. The two were impressed by the great quality of the vegetable tanned Afghan leather and Master Yaqub's traditional Afghan craftsmanship. Jean then had the idea to create a small catalogue which they started showing to friends and family in Europe. The feedback was extremely positive. Master Yaqub was producing very nice leather bags, but not many people were buying them. Gunda and Jean therefore had the idea to support Master Yaqub, by bringing his products to the international market through better marketing. The idea was to combine Afghan craftmenship with European demands for functionality and aestetics. The concept worked very well. The Gundara online shop has been running since 2009 and in 2015 Jean and Gunda opened the first Gundara Concept Store at Schlesische Str. 25 in Berlin-Kreuzberg. 

The Gundara Fairchain Approach

Gundara creates sustainable business and living perspectives for artisans on the ground. About 25% of the retail price of the leather bags goes directly back to the artisans in Afghanistan. Since Gundara is directly in contact with the producers of the leather bags, fair working and trade conditions can be guaranteed. Wherever possible Gundara uses natural raw materials produced in Afghanistan, Pakistan Zambia, Ethiopia etc. respectively, so that the entire value chain takes place in the countries of the partners. Like this the artisans profit as much as possible (fairchain is better than fairtrade).