Eden + Elie began at the confluence of design and impact. We first launched as a socially conscious brand, with handwoven jewellery produced by a team of artisans, who are individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
One of our core beliefs as a social enterprise is to achieve a good match between what the market wants in terms of product/design and our working model for impact. When Eden+Elie first entered the market in 2015, we adopted a lean start-up model, entering with a small collection to answer the question of "will this sell?" and "will people pay this price?"
After we validated the product-market fit, we started recruiting individuals from vulnerable communities as artisans. We did not originally envision that we would hire adults with autism - but we found that they were by far the most consistent and best fit to our business needs.
Co-Founders of Eden + Elie, Leon and Stephanie
We are committed to uplifting communities in need by working with them to bring new sustainable products to market, creating value through design, and changing perceptions of what truly constitutes affordable and sustainable luxury.
Today, we are an impact-driven design house that creates modern products for sustainable living. We aim to challenge the current emerging narrative of "buy nothing in order to do good" by connecting conscious consumers with purpose-driven products that create economic opportunities and reduce inequality for communities around the world.
Our beneficiaries were unemployed and for most of them, Eden + Elie was their first job. Adults with autism tend to be socially isolated and regress after formal education stops after the age of 18 (for most of them in Singapore).
To date we have,
The DBS Foundation Social Enterprise Grant will catalyse our market expansion beyond Singapore and allow us to engage with new under-served beneficiary groups through the development of a new sustainable material for our jewellery line. Our journey with DBS Foundation began long before we received a grant, and we are grateful for the support the Foundation has lent in advocating for our mission to make the world a better place.
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Asia’s Safest Bank, 2009 – 2023, Global Finance
Best Bank in the World 2022, Global Finance
World's Best Bank 2021, Euromoney
Best Bank in the World 2020, Global Finance
World's Best Bank 2019, Euromoney
Global Bank of the Year 2018, The Banker