Katy Leakey Interview (Part One)

Katy Leakey Interview (Part One)

By Ilana

On June 27, 2013, four of our summer interns had a wonderful opportunity to interview Katy Leaky, co-founder of the Leaky Collection, an organization which provides economic opportunity to local communities in Kenya. We hope you enjoy reading about their experiences and what they learned.  It will be presented in four parts, and will be followed by a short biography of each intern at the conclusion of their portion.

-- Stacey

I just recently had the opportunity to talk to Katy Leakey the founder of the Leakey Collection, all the way from Kenya.  The Leakey Collection is an all natural, sustainable jewelry and home decor line handcrafted in Africa. Inspired by her amazing company, I wanted to learn more about her job, daily routine, and life in Kenya.

Katy and her husband Philip Leakey live in the Rift Valley and have the Maasai tribes as their neighbors. In 2001, a terrible drought in Kenya left the Maasai's cattle without water and the ability to graze. The men were forced to leave behind their families and relocate their cattle elsewhere, leaving the women and children without a steady income. Before long, Katy and her husband found themselves supporting over 100 families providing food, medical and school funds. "Once it got up to that number it was no longer sustainable," stated Katy. The Leakey Collection evolved out of necessity.

Ilana models a Multi-Strand Zulugrass Bracelet
and Necklace. 

Coupling Katy's background in the arts with Philip's mechanical expertise and experience setting up enterprises in rural areas, the Leakeys turned to their environment, looking for a way to develop an economically sustainable means to earning a living for the Maasai women. By drying and dying an abundantly available wild grass that was otherwise not used, and then mixing it with Czechoslovakian glass beads, Zulugrass jewelry was born. 

Provided by the Leakey’s, the Maasai women check beading kits on a weekly basis and assemble this beautiful jewelry. 
The women work at remote work stations, often with their young babies at hand.  With a preference for sitting on the ground with their legs outstretched and beads in their laps, they enjoy singing while they bead.  They can work as much or as little as they want, after which the Leakeys buy back the completed products and connect them with a very sophisticated end market. This provides the women with access to a fair trade job, a stable income for themselves and their families.The Leakeys chose to keep their collection contemporary and well placed for the global market. Katy likes to think of the Leakey Collection as the “Ralph Lauren” of fair trade.

A normal day for Katy Leakey begins around 5:30 in the morning. Leaving her sleeping tent and walking 82 steps down a rock carved slope to reach her kitchen tent.  Making tea and watching the morning sunrise is a daily joy for her. Living out of tents for about 7 years, Katy enjoys living the “rustic life” in Kenya.

Often Katy has unusual days. A good friend of hers had a cow who had fallen off a cliff. Katy then jumped into a pickup truck and drove to the top of the mountain where the cow had fallen. They built a track down to where the cow was stranded. Finding the cow had broken its back,and needing to bring it to safety this took an entire day and about 17 men. With all their determination and efforts they were able to save the cow and reunite it with its nursing baby calf.

Up Next: Part Two of our interview with Katy, discussing the life changing impact the Leakey Collection has had on the lives of its artisans.

Hi, My name is Ilana, and I am a senior in high school. My two passions are Fashion and helping others. While interning at Shopping for a Change I have gained insight in marketing , social media, interviewing, and now blogging!