dignify's Story
You can learn all about dignify's blankets, who makes them, and the kantha craft, but what is our own story? How did dignify originate?
It all began with a wedding gift.
A great story
A simple act of kindness in Calgary, Canada quietly set everything in motion. Shelley gave the very first dignify kantha blanket to a dear friend who was celebrating second chances and tremendous joy after great loss. A single blanket led to another, and another… until it became a business built on purpose. That one act of kindness—offering comfort, beauty, and hope—is still the heartbeat behind who we are today.
Across the world, a stitch began
The story behind that first blanket stretches all the way to Dhaka, Bangladesh, where Robin—a compassionate social worker—spent years with an NGO helping women rebuild their lives. While searching for a way to create dignified work for women exiting prostitution and exploitation, she discovered the centuries-old tradition of kantha blanket-making.
The organization trained women to create blankets in the Bengali kantha tradition, and their skill was remarkable. But Robin saw a deeper need—not just for short-term programs, but for ongoing, sustainable employment and holistic support. She helped start a social enterprise to meet that need: Basha. (You can read Basha’s own origin story here…)
Today, our blankets are still handcrafted by the women of Basha in Dhaka. Many of them are on the journey to becoming leaders, mentors, and master artisans in their own right.
dignify today
Since our launch in 2012, we’ve sold tens of thousands of blankets—providing hundreds of thousands of hours of full-time, dignified work for women in Bangladesh. You can read some of those stories here.
We often hear from customers who see their own stories reflected in these blankets—gifts given in celebration, in remembrance, or simply in love. They tell us these blankets have become their favorite gift to give—and one of the most-loved pieces in their homes.
Each kantha is made from layers of vintage sari cloth and hand-stitched over days (or weeks), making every piece one-of-a-kind and full of character.
Browse our current kantha collection—each one handmade, one-of-a-kind, and ready to bring beauty, purpose and warmth into your home.
Who am I?
I’m Lauranne—wife to Shinod, mother to our daughter Lily.
A few years ago, I took a leap and moved to India to work for a human rights organization. I never expected to meet the love of my life, have a baby in a different country or see first-hand the power of dignified work to transform women’s lives, families, and entire communities for the good.
While living in India, we also walked through a season of deep grief. It was followed by the joy of welcoming our daughter Lily in our family. That season shaped us. It still does.
When I discovered dignify, it felt like coming home. The kantha blankets I already loved carried a story I recognized—women from different parts of the world, connected by a shared thread of healing and hope.
When Shelley was ready to pass the baton—looking for someone new to step in and carry the vision forward—I was honored to say yes. The mission felt personal. Familiar. Like something I’d been preparing for all along.
So, here I am—honored, grateful, and full of expectation for all that’s ahead in this coming chapter of dignify. My hope is that every blanket you bring into your home offers more than warmth. I hope it brings meaningful connection—to the woman who made it, to the story it holds or to someone in your own life. I'd love to hear from you, so don't be a stranger and feel free to say hello.
We humbly celebrate, and press on in this good work! With a coffee in hand ;)