The Thousands

The idea that one person can make a change seems like an Oprah concept. Take an idea, get it off the ground, throw in some guests receiving payment in the form of Oprah’s famous hand hugs and it seems like the problem could be solved single Oprah-handedly. Or Tyra-handedly (what a world-changer). As much as we like to think we can go out and change the world, the sentiment only seems to last the length of a thirty second ad spot.

For Adele Turner, it lasted a little longer. While completing part of her Fine Arts (Fashion) degree in India, 2011 QUT graduate Adele channelled her compassion into action by using her business and fashion skills to start ‘Verb: Doing Something’. The result is a classic sleek leather bag, outsourced for production to a small community of workers in Rajasthan, where fair trade wages and safe working conditions are guaranteed. Each bag is lined with not only the Verb story, but also a profile on the resident craftsman. It’s the next best thing to locally made.

The Verb story is bigger than just the bag. Adele is empowering the people of Rajasthan with a set of tools and skills to help them overcome poverty. It’s a full circle moment people, the kind that would get Oprah yelling out your name.