Photo by Sarah Featherstone
As the Shenandoah Valley’s most diverse community, Harrisonburg has long embraced the food, music and customs of cultures from around the world. The city’s International Festival, unique retailers, and restaurants serving international cuisine celebrate the rich heritage and diversity of the area’s residents. Local boutiques are no exception. New Creation boutique is one example of a local shop with an international mission.
New Creation, a woman-owned boutique sells handmade, fairly traded goods that are sourced from over 60 organizations from around the world. From jewelry to clothing, to bags, wallets, books, stationery, and accessories, the goods sold at New Creation celebrate the talents of the women who created them.
When owner Sabrina Dorman-Andrew, first heard the stories of women and girls who had been trafficked in Uganda, she was moved to action. Sabrina began selling handmade jewelry and upcycled items from Uganda out of her home in Harrisonburg to aid in rescue and restoration work and donated the proceeds to anti-trafficking organizations across the globe. Her business grew and in 2015 New Creation opened its doors in a retail space on Main Street.
Today, the boutique sells an abundance of beautifully made fair trade goods from India, Cambodia, and Moldova. One of their most popular items is the LuLu dress, a gown so comfortable it’s been nicknamed the “pajama dress” by Sabrina and her staff. Shoppers can pair this dress with a knotted headband or rafiki (friendship) bracelet for a simple, bohemian look. Another popular item is the store’s Kantha towels, clips, and hoop earrings, made from recycled saris that have been stitched into new items. These vibrant textiles will add light and color to your home. Each of these products are made by women who have experienced trafficking in their lifetime, empowering them to take part in meaningful work and lead healthy, productive lives.
The impact of New Creation has also reverberated into the city of Harrisonburg, where Sabrina employs six women in addition to the hundreds who are employed around the world. Sabrina has also worked with other local shop owners to sell their products and to arrange exciting events that bring awareness to their cause. Last year, she worked with other women-owned businesses such as withSimplicity to sponsor Night of Light, a gala celebrating their efforts to end human trafficking.
To learn more about New Creation, visit their store at 3501 South Main Street in Harrisonburg or online through their website or one of their Facebook page.