John Lewis has launched a new lifestyle brand Made With Care, curated by designers and creators who have grown up in the care system.
The department store retailer unveiled the brand’s first design yesterday, at an event welcoming care experienced people, charities and partners to mark the first anniversary of its Building Happier Futures programme.
The first design was created by Michael Archibald, an 18-year old aspiring artist from Glasgow who has experienced care.
The product consists of a tote bag, which is expected to be in Waitrose and John Lewis stores from 11 December.
The 18 year old worked with the John Lewis in-house design team and creative partners Saatchi & Saatchi to create the design.
Profits from each £12 bag sold will be donated to the Building Happier Futures fund.
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Archibald said: “Creative industries are such a competitive field and being given the chance to work with such big companies makes me feel like I’m able to go places.
“I want more care experienced people to feel this way. I’m so excited by the potential of Made With Care to give more people like me a platform to be creative and raise more awareness at the same time”.
He continued: “The stars on the bag represent the brilliance of care experienced people, and the surrounding clouds depict the love, care and respect these individuals need”.
Archibald applied to take part in Made with Care via Who Cares? Scotland, the Partnership’s charity partner.
The news comes a year after John Lewis Partnership used its Christmas advert in efforts to make children in care a “national talking point”.
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