Dignify is a company that works with former sex-workers in Bangladesh.

The company provides for these women a chance for a new different life by working with them to make quilts from discarded sarees.

The site is located at what is currently the J. Crew store on Broughton Street. 

The Dignify company sells kantha throws and blankets; dolls for children; baby mobiles; baby kanthas and throws; stationery; jewelry; scarves; and bags. Floor one has been designed for the selling of these products.

Shelley- the founder of Dignify is currently operating out of her home. If the selling, packaging, and all other activities involved in running Dignify took place on site, she would no longer have to operate from her home. The lower level would primarily be used to operate the business.

The concept of the Dignify store is “celebration.” The quilts themselves are so beautiful and full of life, as are the stories of triumph that the women who make the “kanthas” or quilts are. The concept image is an abstract sunrise made of bright fabric representing vibrancy and the chance for new beginnings. This was inspired by the idea of designing a space inspired by women and created especially for women to succeed.

Upon entering the Dignify store, the user steps onto a multi-colored tile mosaic featuring the logo of the brand. Custom storage, designed specifically for the Dignify quilts, align the north wall. Towards the back is a small area for lounge seating complete with a bookshelf, and another tile mosaic on the floor, where the users can educate themselves on the realities of sex slavery. The space may also be used for meetings of small organizations working to end sex slavery.

At the entrance of the Dignify store, the visitor can see the kantha quilts displayed throughout the store. A custom-made wood and concrete cash-wrap sits in the middle of the space. A collage of fabric from the kantha quilts decorates the feature wall behind the cash wrap.

The concept of “celebration” is translated into brightly-colored wall treatment. Neutral wood furniture and casework help to balance the brightly colored wall treatment and the quilts themselves. The pillars, resembling tree trunks are also representative of the strength of the women who craft the kanthas.