Are they fair trade and child labor free?

Like the coat rack, but not sure I'd spend $50 to ship a $75 product. That's like paying twenty bucks for a straw to drink a two-dollar milkshake. I drink your milkshake, I drink it up. But not with a twenty-dollar straw.

I'm just going to keep my thoughts on a white woman sitting in Cape Town naming her company "Deep Dark Africa" to myself.

@prticipntobsrvr: Thank you! I thought I was the only one who heard the name and thought it was a bit suspect.

Uh. "Deep Dark Africa?" Uh. OMFG?

Ditto regarding the name of the company. What century is this? Reason enough for me to NOT check out their site.

I went to the website to read the 'About' link hoping the name had some profound meaning that could be easily misunderstood. That didn't happen. SMH.

...No one at Apartment Therapy looked at that name and thought maybe "Deep Dark Africa" shouldn't be featured on the website with such an offensive name?

Thank you to Apartment Therapy for featuring Deep Dark Africa.

I'd just like to state that clearly this name is meant to be ironic and shows quite the opposite through promoting Africa's great artists, designers and crafters. Although I am a "white woman sitting in Cape Town", I am also African and find this comment rather offensive.

It is also mentioned that whilst we have tried to get the best possible shipping costs for our customers, one is please to remember that these beautiful items are being shipped to you from the Southern most tip of Africa.

I hope this clears up the misunderstandings.

Just a thought on double standards: A quick glance through West Elm's "We Care" page yields absolutely nothing about fair trade sources or child labor. Let's make sure we hold all our favorite companies to the same rigorous standards to which we might hold retailers of artisan products.

Ironic in the same vein as if I--a white male in Memphis, Tennessee--opened a shop and named it "Mammy's."

The term Deep Dark Africa simply arises from a time when this unique continent was shrouded in mystery & misunderstood in it's unknown ways. This shop aims to shed light on it's beauty & vibrant creative talent celebrating Africa.

I'm a proud owner of the herd pillow and other skinny laminx products and think this site is a great idea--the name of the site, however, I don't know., I had an immediate visceral dislike of it.

Shrouded in mystery and unknown ... to Europeans.

I had a similar (negative) reaction to the name. However, after looking around the site, I made the assumption that the name was being used ironically, or at least that irony was the intent. That said, names are very powerful and the one chosen is extremely loaded and likely to be found offensive by many. The irony is by no means "clear" on first hearing/reading. "Deep, Dark" carries lots of connotations - obvious ones relating to skin color, exoticism, sinister nature, etc. I wonder how the name "sounds" to the various constituencies in South Africa. I would be surprised if this were the founder's first time getting a less than enthusiastic response to the name.

Had to register just to comment: Love those pillows! I've been a DDA customer and my experience of them has been that they're passionate about making a difference to local craftsmen and -women through supporting excellent work. The name might have unfortunate negative connotations for some people, but if you checked it out, the site is actually celebrating Africa's creativity and design.

The DDA shopping and website experience is gentle and unpretentious. It is one of my favourites, not only because of the incredible stock (!) but because the intention and message is so obviously honest and clearly translated.

I'm from South Africa and don't find the name offensive at all. Granted, I too am a "white woman sitting in Cape Town". But I think too often people are quick to rush to Africa's defense when in fact they know little about us, and actually hold views about us that support the "deep dark Africa" idea. Those of us who live here, know its sunny and lovely.

Hi there,

As a South African currently living in the US, I just wanted to contribute my thoughts! When I stumbled upon this sight, I was thrilled by the clear dedication of the owners to dispel the notion of Africa as a "Deep and Dark Continent." Clearly the intention of this site is to expose the beauty, talent, and potential of a sometimes misunderstood continent and people. What a pity that foreigners don't get the irony! I LOVE the name, and the message!

BTW, I purchased some of the colourful bangles, and the bone necklace... love them both! Good Luck, DDA!

It's been addressed by many and still not answered, "Are they fair trade items?" Very beautiful items!

Deep Dark Africa strongly believes in fair trade. For more information please visit the About page of the store at http://deepdarkafrica.bigcartel.com/about.