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Charlotte di Vita launched the first collection of hand-painted
and handcrafted miniature enamels in May 1998 into a buoyant
UK collectibles market to instant success. Today, the Charlotte
di Vita Collections™ is recognised internationally as
a leading collectibles brand.
Today there are 156 designs in the Charlotte di Vita Collections™
and their continued popularity ensures secure employment and
fair working conditions for the Chinese craftspeople, as well
as providing a national platform for Charlotte di Vita's ethical
trading ethos.
In October 1998, Charlotte di Vita was invested as a Member
of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Her Majesty The
Queen at Buckingham Palace. Charlotte in turn presented Her
Majesty with one of the first miniature enamel teapots. Charlotte
comments that, "The MBE has brought international recognition
to our work, bringing Trade plus AidŽ to the attention of
a far wider public."
To date, Charlotte's ethical trading initiatives have not
only been able to return over US$5,000,000 to the producer
communities to pay for their handicrafts, including these
talented Chinese enamelers, but has also raised over US$369,500
to initiate charitable projects to assist underprivileged
communities in Asia and Africa.
The Charlotte di Vita Collections™ brand name is now
recognised in the giftware trade as the market leader in miniature
enamel collectable teapots.
The Collections are distributed around the world by W. Goebel
Pozellanfabrik, one of the world's most respected and well-established
collectibles companies. And following a very successful initial
year, in 2002, Goebel agreed a new four-year licensing contract
that guarantees a minimum annual licensing fee of US$325,000,
a total of US$1.3 million. This means that Charlotte can continue
to develop additional income generating design and manufacturing
projects and make donations to Trade plus AidŽ for the design
and implementation of sustainable charitable programmes.
Where
can I buy the Charlotte di Vita Collections™ teapots?
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