I popped down to Mexico and was waiting for Ben in a bar, kind of drunk, when Ashley walked in. She had hair like a mermaid, wavy all the way down to her butt. Perfectly tanned, the Californian had cut-off shorts on with the coolest belt ever. Her boyfriend was working with mine in Mexico and since her and I were tagging along I had a lot of time to learn about her awesome belt and the rest of the Seiba line. Guess what? one of you is getting one!!

Introducing Ashley Shoshan of Seiba

Ashley, the founder of Seiba is a sunbum travel addict. Her parents were a huge part of her life, a middle eastern entrepreneur father & a free spirited mother who traveled the world. Ashley becoming a free-spirited entrepreneur was kind of fate. She got a degree in Business Marketing in San Deigo and during a travel/work program to China she knew she wanted to do some work internationally. From scuba diving in Mexico, to traveling Namibia or floating in the dead sea, traveling is her “thing” before fashion ever was. She started to collect things from her journeys, hand-made stuff from all over the world, and that’s how Seiba came to be.

Well backpacking Latin America, she saw it- the belt. She started wearing the colorful woven belt with her jeans, shorts, and bikinis. It was her new favorite accessory and everyone who saw her wanted one. She tracked down the source to a Chamula, an indigenous community in Chiapas, Mexico. They are a community exempt from Mexico’s law and live in completely traditional ways with no outsiders. While they made these belts and sold them occasionally in town, Ashley saw an opportunity to teach them sales and help them get out of a poverty that was sending their children into big cities to work.

Seiba, The Brand: 

Seiba is a name for the ancient Mayans’ sacred tree of life, which connected all people and planes of existence. The first product line features a distinctive weave developed by Maya women of the Chiapas highlands in Mexico. Seiba pays homage to the ancient mythology by creating connections between local artisans and the global community. Although, she doesn’t just work with this community, the brand focuses on working with any artisans in an indigenous community that may face forced relocation. They want to build a bridge between them and the first world.

“Seiba stems from a desire to explore cultures and learn from indigenous communities across the far reaches of our planet. Our travels have taken us from the jungles of South America, to the African Sahara, to the birthplace of civilization. Though our product types and origins may differ, we always aim to source authentic handmade creations that are detailed, unique, and radiate the beauty of the culture that created them.”

 

Ashley finds inspiration from the world, but more specifically: Beach fashion and lifestyle blogger, Rebekah Steen of Goldfish Kiss, anything Free People (umm, me too), and the REAL Pocahontas. She reminds her of the indigenous people she works with, and love that she’s in touch with mother nature, living off the land, and au natural. “Her hand made clothing and style represent her native traditions yet are timeless and have been reinvented throughout history to represent bohemian fashion.” -Ashley

The woven material is nylon and it’s used to make the main product belts, as well as “straps” which they make into guitar straps camera straps, and yoga mat straps. They use recycled jean buttons to make clapses on bracelets and headbands. They make earrings and more: headwraps, pocket purses, bootstraps, ankle wraps and bun ties. You can buy them and try out your own DIY project.

Seiba For the Traveler:

Ashley gave me a belt over almost two years ago and she’s right, it’s incredible versatile.  During my move from Seattle to Ohio to India, it become buried in a box somewhere- so just like you I’m drooling over these and trying to decide which one to order next. Luckily, one reader is going to win a little goodie bag from Seiba, the details to enter are at the bottom of the post.

I asked Ashley why she thinks her products are perfect for the travelers (although I could like 10 reasons myself)

“Seiba products are easy pack and multi purpose- from your hair, waist, bikini, to your purse. Seiba will breathe life into your backpack wardrobe. It’s created by travelers FOR travelers.”

“Seiba conveys a sense of exotic travel & stems from the inner traveler in all of us.”

Where can you purchase Seiba?

Be on the lookout because Seiba has new products coming: tee shirts, dresses, shirts, and purses. She was recently featured on the Free People blog and sells in TOO many places to name, but there are shops carrying her line all over Florida, Arizona, Michigan, California (loads here), Hawaii, Mississippi & abroad in France and Germany. Click for all location listings.

Want to shop online? Check her site WearSeiba and shop away!

Lastly, following Seiba’s facebook page is something you will NOT regret! She posts the most amazing beach pics on there and her Instagram every day. Follow along on the Seiba Pinterest. To contact Ashley, e-mail at ashleyshoshan (@) gmail (dot) com and info (@) weareseiba (dot) com or call her at +18184518984 .

The Seiba Giveaway!

What you’ll get: a stacked variety of four single arm bracelets AND a colorwheel belt!

It’s easy as pie, you just need to comment on this post for one entry, BUT you can enter more times than that by simply following Ashley and I on social media platforms. Each follow is another time your name is tossed in the bucket to win! Once the winner is chosen, I will check they are actually following & Ashley will e-mail to get your mailing address. This giveaway is open internationally and closes in 7 days. You can come back each day until it closes to “tweet” about the giveaway for another entry.

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