Barefoot first began in 1962 in Sri Lanka with colourist, artist, designer and entrepreneur Barbara Sansoni. Today the result of this endeavour is not just a story of production, but also a tale of people who thrive on being creative. The company Sansoni founded has a band of dedicated designers providing training, designs, raw materials and a market for weavers.

Barefoot works almost exclusively with women, a tradition started by Barbara Sansoni over 30 years ago, who work in small rural workshops. Weaving centres across the island provide valuable employment to rural women, who have elevated their economic status by mastering weaving techniques. Work is taken to them rather than expecting them to spend long hours travelling. The women who weave participate in every stage of the making of the cloth, using eco-friendly traditional methods. The weavers are involved in a creative cognitive process.

Barefoot uses the inspiration of the land and seascapes, earth, plants and animals of Sri Lanka, in abstract geometry with a vivid use of colour to produce beautiful and useful textiles. The fabrics are created from a palette of 63 different colour shades, using eco-friendly Cibacron F/FN Swiss dyes.

The designers put these vibrant colours together in innovative and unexpected ways. The results just make you smile! And the colours will not lose their intensity over time. The textiles are washable and will not fade or run. The human touch in the weaving process gives character and resilience to each item.

The team of designers led by Sansoni design their own range of clothes, bags, household fabrics and toys made from their textiles. Each product is made from start to finish by one person. Everyone involved is valued and made to feel part of a family. They thrive on the knowledge that their contribution is appreciated and also that their development as a person is equally important

The craft skills at Barefoot are timeless. Nothing is mass-produced. No child labour is used. All employees are given a decent wage and benefits. There are no factories and no production lines. Each worker is responsible for the quality of the final product. Barefoot teach the skills and strive for quality from the weavers and sewers. Each piece of work is a simple, yet timelessly beautiful and stylish article.