“Dreaming, after all, is a way of planning” – Gloria Steinem
Through the therapeutic value of the handmade and long lasting, LSJ Studio supports a number of organisations whose purpose aligns with our own process and belief in the importance of working sustainably in more ways than one. Our charitable endeavours and collaborations are a work in progress: more than ever, we hope that by taking many small steps in the right direction we eventually end up where we want to be.
Rather than simply donating funds, our intention is to create a positive long-term impact in the lives of other women and children by supporting organisations and productions that help them establish small independent craftsmanship businesses and as well as a robust sense of worth.
We currently value local production in our native Denmark as a way to keep our carbon footprint thoughtful. When we do source or produce elsewhere, it is because that country is known for its unmatched craftsmanship tradition in a particular metier, in which case it is very important for us to then give something back to that region, as we do with our French Madagascan Market Dresses through SEED Madagascar, an organisation working to alleviate poverty, improve well-being and protect unique environments.
LSJ Studio is committed to making this industry a more thoughtful and decent place. We want to inspire people to care about the provenance of an item and to buy pieces with the least amount of environmental impact. By sustaining the locally handmade and responsibly sourced, our aim is to contribute to retail biodiversity, an ethical stance and idea which supports community, not just economy.
-The Art for Light auction takes place on Instagram @artforlight featuring donated pieces from more than 100 artists and small brands from around the world. One hundred percent of sales from the November 2020 auction were donated to the environmental organisation Clean Air Task Force which brought in a total of $35,777 USD. Pictured here, is the quilt donated by LSJ Studio from renowned collector of anglo- and traditional American quilts, Eli Leon in Berkeley. Leon passed away in 2022, having collected American quilts his entire life, supported by The Guggenheim fellowship amongst others.
Photography by Albert Grøndahl from my childhood home build and drawn by my Father, Jørgen Borchsenius Johansen.
- SEED Madagascar works to improve sustainable livelihoods in southeast Madagascar by building schools, managing conservation projects and natural resources, sanitation and women’s health.
The collaboration was established while Line lived in Paris. Every sale from our edit of embroidered smock dresses made by artisans in Madagascar supports SEED Madagascar with 10-20 % from each sale.
Projects supported: The Mahatalaky and Vatambe school project 2020 and The Covid Emergency Food Program running until 2023 just to name a few. If you wish to support SEED further, donations can be made directly through this link.
-The Edible Schoolyard Project aims to bring clean, green food to all schoolchildren in the United States through nourishing themselves by growing and harvesting their own lunch. Founded by world renowned chef and food activist Alice Waters, the Berkeley-based project teaches children to reconnect with the earth and where their food comes from, to protect future generations. During an artist residency in California 2017, the fundraiser for Edible Schoolyard was created for the annual teacher's training program. Indian blessing strings with small vintage vegetable and fruit glass charms, sold online and at Edible Schoolyard events with all proceeds going to the organisation.