Rise Beyond the Reef is dedicated to creating sustainable pathways
Karen Walker has unveiled her latest collaboration with Fiji’s non-profit organisation Rise Beyond the Reef, marking the third year of this thoughtful and enduring partnership. The project beautifully blends Karen Walker’s chic-meets-utility design language with the artistry and craftsmanship of women from remote Fijian communities.
Founded in 2014, Rise Beyond the Reef is dedicated to creating sustainable pathways for rural Indigenous women and their families, helping to bridge the divide between remote communities and the modern market. Each handmade piece reflects ecological, cultural and social values while supporting climate-smart initiatives and preserving time-honoured skills that might otherwise be lost.
“Fiji holds a deep connection for me and my family, and it’s a privilege to continue working with the artisans of Rise Beyond the Reef,” says Karen Walker. “This collaboration celebrates their skill, creativity and resilience while sharing their work with a global audience.”
This year’s collection includes five handwoven bags and three fan designs, all handcrafted by artisans from Cakaudrove Province and Kioa Island. Each bag is finished with the signature Karen Walker Runaway straps, a contemporary detail that effortlessly carries these traditional pieces from the shores of Fiji into modern city life. The coordinating fans, woven in natural fibres, showcase the same artistry in a more refined, sculptural form.
Wamere Wild Vine Baskets (Small and Large), Bucket Bag and Fans
In Cakaudrove Province on Fiji’s second-largest island, more than 50 women weave baskets and fans from the wild wamere vine, a technique passed down through generations. The vine is harvested deep in the forest, one strand at a time, then peeled and split entirely by hand. As demand for woven goods has grown, men now assist with harvesting, creating a more balanced share of work at home and supporting the weavers in their craft.
Round Basket Totes (Small and Large)
On Kioa Island, part of Fiji’s northern region, artisans work with sasa (coconut palm spine) and pandanus, harvesting, preparing and weaving each piece by hand. The island’s remote location makes access both limited and costly, yet it helps preserve a way of life where skills are passed down from one generation to the next.
Once completed, the woven pieces travel to Sabeto Valley, where the Rise Beyond the Reef Studio Collection team adds the leather finishing and completes the assembly. This final stage provides training and employment opportunities for youth from partner communities before the finished designs are shipped to New Zealand.
“Working with Karen Walker continues to be a meaningful partnership,” says Janet Lotawa, Co-Founder and Director of Rise Beyond the Reef. “Together, we are creating opportunity, empowering women and keeping traditional craft alive while connecting it to a global market.”
The collection will be available from 18 November 2025 in Karen Walker stores and online at karenwalker.com. For more about Rise Beyond the Reef, visit risebeyondthereef.org.
