SEATTLE, Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN) and Me to We, an organization that provides socially responsible products, today announced that Nordstrom will be the first U.S. retailer to offer the Me to We Artisans collection of original jewelry hand-crafted by Maasai Mamas living in Kenya. Select styles will be available in 10 Nordstrom stores and at Nordstrom.com. Me to We empowers the women who create the sustainably-produced, locally-sourced accessories by paying a fair wage that allows them greater opportunities to support their families and communities. The items also support Free The Children, Me to We's charity partner, that  works locally to educate, engage and empower youth to make a difference in their own communities and internationally to remove the barriers to education and end the cycle of poverty.  

"We currently employ more than 600 Artisan Mamas who live in Free the Children communities across Kenya," says Roxanne Joyal, founder of Me to We Artisans. "Together, we leverage the artistic ingenuity of their traditional Maasai beadwork and style pieces into collections that are on-trend with the current and evolving fashion markets. We are grateful to be partnering with Nordstrom, working together to provide young customers with purchasing options that truly make a difference."

Prices range from $5 to $100 and items include necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings. Me to We Style organic cotton t-shirts, will also be available online at Nordstrom.com.

One of the most popular items in the line is the $10Rafiki Friend Chain, which comes in five vibrant colorways, each representing a different cause (water, health, education, food security and alternative income). With every Rafiki (Swahili for 'friend') sold, a gift such as clean water, school supplies, wholesome meals, healthcare and sustainable financial tools is given to children and families in Free The Children communities overseas. This modern take on friendship bracelets is part of Me to We's Track Your Impact initiative, and by using a special code on the back of the Rafiki's packaging, customers can visit a website to learn about the community they supported through their purchase.

"We love the idea of offering our customers on-trend merchandise that also provides them with the opportunity to celebrate friendship through giving back and making a difference," said Jennifer Jackson, corporate merchandise manager for BP./Kids at Nordstrom. "We hope that this Me to We Artisans collection will inspire and empower our customers to look for more ways to make a positive impact in their communities and our world." 

The Me to We merchandise is online at Nordstrom.com and will also be available in the BP. department of 10 Nordstrom stores:

To kick off the partnership, Nordstrom Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., will host a live performance from the Kenyan Boys Choir and a book reading by Robin Wisztowaty, author of "My Maasai Life," on Saturday, October 12 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Background information on Me to We, the Kenyan Boys Choir and Robin Wisztowaty, as well as product images, can be found in the Nordstrom Press Room.

About Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the leading fashion specialty retailers based in the U.S. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 252 stores in 34 states, including 117 full-line stores, 132 Nordstrom Racks, two Jeffrey boutiques and one clearance store. Nordstrom also serves customers through Nordstrom.com and in the online private sale marketplace, HauteLook. Nordstrom, Inc.'s common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

About Me to We
Me to We is an innovative social enterprise that offers socially conscious products and services, including socially conscious and environmentally friendly clothes and accessories, as well as life-changing international volunteer trips, leadership training programs and materials, an inspirational speakers bureau, and books which address issues of positive social change. In addition, half of Me to We's net profit is donated to Free The Children, while the other half is reinvested to grow the enterprise and its social mission. Visit www.metowe.com for more information.

For additional information, please contact:
Natalie Schoffer
Manager, Public Relations
Me to We
natalie.schoffer@metowe.com
416-925-5894 ext. 331

Emily Romans
Nordstrom
emily.m.romans@nordstrom.com
206.303.3034

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20001011/NORDLOGO)

SOURCE Nordstrom; Me to We