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April 22, 2025 / Burkina Faso, Kenya

Karl Lagerfeld x Amber Valetta
SS 2025 Produced with EFI

Building on the spirit of collaboration, Maison KARL LAGERFELD and its Sustainability Ambassador, Amber Valletta, are proud to introduce a limited-edition tote bag made from fabrics handwoven in Burkina Faso and crafted in Kenya with the Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI).

2024-KARL LAGERFELD-CREDIT FANNY KABRE (3)
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2024-KARL LAGERFELD-CREDIT FANNY KABRE (22)
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EFI x KARL LAGERFELD PRODUCTION 2
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EFI x KARL LAGERFELD PRODUCTION
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Impact Report

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Blending artisan tradition with modern aesthetics, the bags celebrate local creative heritage, promote female empowerment and support sustainable development. With just 320 exclusive pieces available worldwide, each one-of-a-kind bag is individually numbered and signed by the artisan who made it.
"This tote is more than a bag — it celebrates creativity, community, and thoughtful design. Collaborating on this project has been an energizing experience, highlighting our interconnectedness and the beauty of honoring traditional heritage alongside contemporary design."
– Amber Valletta, Sustainability Ambassador of Kart Lagerfeld
Knowing a project like this would not be possible without on-the-ground support and expertise, Karl Lagerfeld invited EFI to share its local insights into the tote’s production processes. EFI aims to create jobs, foster trade, and enhance the quality of life in rural and marginalized communities across Africa. Its focus on empowering women provides households with additional income and education for children. The tote’s textiles are handwoven in Burkina Faso from organic, 100% rain-fed cotton and dyed using GOTS certified dyes. It has been thoughtfully designed with no plastic-based elements and minimal trims, which increases its circularity potential for future recycling. The “Faso Dan Fani” textiles are handwoven by female artisans of CABES GIE, EFI social enterprise partner in Burkina Faso. It has then been assembled at Artisan Fashion in Nairobi and embellished with intricate glass beadwork made by Tujikuze artisans. Each bag is finished with the signature of the artisan who made it, on an interior patch.

My name is Korotime ZONGO, I’m 39 years old. I’m married and the mother of three children. I discovered this workshop through my sister-in-law. Although I ran small businesses that helped me support myself, I wanted to learn a trade that I could practice wherever I settled.

That’s how I joined AFEPO, where I’ve been working since 2011. I love my work as an artisan, which, in addition to the income, allows me to socialize, develop solidarity, s. I thank CABES and its partners for this order and invite them to repeat orders that benefit us.

Korotime ZONGO (AFEPO – Burkina Faso)

The KL production was a great learning experience. Completing it in just one month required extra precision and teamwork. With many delicate operations, my team and I had to communicate effectively and support each other to meet the deadline. This experience taught me the power of teamwork and communication—skills I will carry forward. I am grateful for the KL order and hope for more opportunities in the future.”

Ednah Monyangi (Artisan Fashion, Kenya)

The Story of the bag. The story of this bag began in early 2023 at the Maison KARL LAGERFELD in Paris, where Hun Kim (Creative Director) met with Amber Valletta (Sustainability Ambassador) to discuss the future of their long standing collaboration. With a shared commitment to more responsible fashion and a deep appreciation for handmade craftsmanship, they envisioned a one-of-a-kind tote produced with marginalized communities and female artisans in Africa.
The Collaborators. During this project, EFI collaborated with various local organizations and social enterprises. Commerce et Artisanat pour le Bien-Être Social (CABES) was created in 2014 with the support of EFI, to promote the work of (mostly female) artisans from Burkina Faso. Initially launched with just four cooperatives, today CABES counts over 91 structures and more than 2,400 member artisans. Tujikuze is a partnership of like-minded Kenyan companies: Africa Collect Textiles, Savio Youth Enterprise, Virtuous and Satubo. Founded in 2024 with EFI’s support, Tujikuze produces fashion with some of Kenya’s most talented artisan groups. Founded with EFI support in 2009 in Kenya, Artisan Fashion creates and produces jewelry, bags, accessories and apparel of social significance. Artisan Fashion engages over 1,000 African artisans to produce and deliver more than 100,000 bags and accessories each year. Artisan Fashion was the main production hub for the making of this tote bag.

Please contact us by emailing efashion@intracen.org

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The Ethical Fashion Initiative is a programme of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

 

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