Body Bijou founder, thirteen year old Linda Manziaris combined her passion for jewelry design and a desire to help vulnerable young women to create Body Bijou, an online jewelry store with a mission to make a difference.
Body Bijou donates 50 percent of net profits to GirlsHelpingGirls, a non-profit organization founded by Linda’s 16 year-old sister Susanna Manziaris, which is dedicated to educating vulnerable girls in the developing world.
Linda’s passion for jewelry design began at an early age, when she started creating original, hand made jewelry pieces for friends and family. Interest for her unique pieces spread, and Linda quickly found herself filling orders.
It was a love of fashion-forward jewelry combined with a desire to help underprivileged women that propelled the Manziaris sisters to put this socially conscious passion to good use.
“Our family took a volunteer trip to help build a school in Kenya recently, and it changed the way I think about education and the sacrifices that so many girls have to make just to get by,” said Linda.
“It made us realize how we took our own schooling and opportunities for granted and we knew that we could do something to help.”
And help, they did. Upon returning to Toronto from their trip, Linda and Susanna got their friends and family just as excited about this new venture and put plans into action.
“After experiencing first hand the challenges and struggles of these young girls we felt inspired to do what we could to help,” said Susanna.
“I learned that the low status of women is a problem that is consistent globally and that if you educate a girl, you educate a family and an entire community. The cycle of poverty can then begin to break.”
The jewelry pieces are all hand made in Canada and can be used to add finishing touches to your outfit, or to completely change your look. By purchasing Body Bijou pieces, you are supporting a company built by girls, for girls.
Body Bijou offers a wide selection of jewelry, in various sizes and colours and will suit a variety of styles and tastes – from the young to the young at heart. Visit www.bodybijou.com to place your order.
Watch a video about Body Bijou: