Our Mission

Rurban reimagines cultural preservation through bridging cultures in new innovative formats We have been working in close liaison with global Indigenous communities for over 10 years to make their cultural heritage accessible to the fashion industry in an equitable and mutually beneficial way. We partner with international brands, rural artists, and craftspeople to create sustainable physical collections and digital products that have cultural depth and authenticity. We run the largest digital library of endangered cultural forms with over 5000 unique designs for IP licensing.

Rurban has co-developed over 5 million products in repeated seasons in a fair, transparent, and traceable process ensuring respect, reciprocity, and remuneration.

How We Work

Our team has worked with tribal communities with decades of experience spanning high design, grassroots organizing, and retail expertise. Twice a month, our team runs surface pattern, technological, and financial literacy workshops with our partner communities.

Sustainable Communities

Following UN SDG Goal 11 to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, our vision is to support the local economies of heritage rich communities by using technology as a bridge. Our vision is to create an alternative to migration by supporting the sustainable lifestyles that exist in the community.

Profit Splits

Through each license, royalties wired back to village average 5 times the original selling price. Our profit split structure -- 75% to the artists and 25% to a community fund, which recognizes individual talent but also allows the village to participate as a whole and vote on spending for community needs.

Where we work

Our Values

RESPECT

We work with Indigenous artists and communities from around the world to deeply understand the meanings behind their work, and to provide them with the means and opportunity to share their work with brands and consumers.

RECIPROCITY

How do we build trust with communities? Amplifying voices, observing existing dynamics, and consistent two-way dialogue. We can help bridge your projects involving communities through years of reflective and self-aware practice.

REMUNERATION

Through our community dividend fund, we ensure that the artists are appropriately compensated and we provide regular profit returns to them and their communities. Every design in our library is traceable to each artist, family, and bank accounts.