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In 2014 the brand partnered with Ethical Fashion Initiative, a body that connects artisans living in marginalised communities around the world with global lifestyle brands. Collaborations between MIMCO and EFI have provided work for 1,400 artisans worldwide, 86% of whom are women, focusing particularly on partners in Kenya and Haiti.

En 2006, durante uno de sus viajes por África, Simone Cipriani, un ejecutivo del sector del lujo, recaló en Kogorocho, una zona empobrecida de Nairobi. Allí conoció a Gino Filippini, un misionero que vivía y trabajaba con un grupo de artesanos del calzado. «Vi un oportunidad. Pensé que, con sus habilidades, podrían acceder a mejores condiciones de vida si lograba introducirlos en una cadena de suministro más internacional, que les diera mejores márgenes de beneficio. Contacyté con una organización de las Naciones Unidas que me apoyó para conseguir mi objetivo», cuenta Cipriani.

+Three°°° also collaborates with EFI (Ethical Fashion Initiative), the UN’s ethical fashion program. EFI creates and manages ethical value chains for craftswomen who live in developing countries or that are facing conflicts. EFI also manages several emerging fashion brands from Africa, it abides by the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion and follows a code meant to be respectful of human rights–as defined by ILO (International Labor Organization)–while aiming to lower their social and environmental impact.

Lagos Style – Orange Culture’, the Ethical Fashion Podcast’s latest episode, is the show’s ninth in its twelve-episode series dedicated to African art and creativity. Aired on May 20th, the episode features Orange Culture’s founder Adebayo Oke-Lawal for a discussion on fusing fashion with activism and what that looks like in modern-day Africa.

A pioneer in tackling societal issues through clothing in the region, Oke-Lawal launched Orange Culture in 2011 as a form of creative activism. On its inception, Oke-Lawal insists, “Deciding to create a brand was an intentional decision. I didn’t just want to create another brand that just made clothing. I wanted to create a brand that had some level of emotionality behind it… I love the idea of creating a brand that starts conversations. I really wanted a brand that spoke for things I believe in.”

Adebayo is an inspiration. His work has won him accolades in international fashion circles but it’s his approach to movement building and giving back that wins hearts. He uses his platform to stand up for issues he believes in – not least, fighting toxic masculinity. He also makes time to mentor emerging African designers.

And from Goodee itself, here’s a striking throw pillow made in Africa in collaboration with the Ethical Fashion Initiative, the United Nations’ fair-trade division. According to the brand, Goodee worked with weavers in Burkina Faso to create the limited-edition cushion, which is made from Burkinabe and Malian textiles and sewn in Kenya.

The possibility of a bland fashion future starts to come to mind, where we are all dressed the same, losing our cultural expression. And worse, where this homogeny came at the cost of cultural heritage and the development of local economies. But there is indeed market potential for culturally-inspired pieces. As noted by Simone Cipriani of the Ethical Fashion Initiative, “Mass production always presents a risk of identity loss. However, I remain convinced that productions linked to cultural identities happening where these identities are developed, benefit local society with work and income.”

How can fashion be a force for good? Goodbye fast fashion! Hello to a better way focused on social and environmental justice, inclusivity and sustainable development. The UN’s Ethical Fashion Initiative acts as a bridge, connecting marginalised artisan communities, often in challenging and remote locations, with some of the biggest names in international fashion. Explore the issues driving the ethical fashion conversation with your hosts UN officer Simone Cipriani and sustainable fashion journalist Clare Press.

The Ethical Fashion Initiative Designer Academy has begun accepting applications from young fashion brands who want to learn about the business of sustainable and ethical fashion as well as take their business to the next level.

The two-year program is open to fashion brands in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Kenya, Mali and Uganda who have been in operation for at least 2 years ranging from RTW, Accessories, Jewellery and/or Footwear with sustainable practices.

The latest episode of the Ethical Fashion Podcast aired on, May 6th. ‘Meet Uganda’s Top Model Agent’ is the Ethical Fashion Podcast’s seventh episode in its Africa-centred series.
This show features a key personality in the Ugandan fashion industry, who is also one of the three judges on the national Opportunities Are Here Project X.

In 2020, Opportunities Are Here Project X premiered in Uganda, presented by the Ethical Fashion Initiative and the EU. A fully digital, televised talent competition, OAH Project X was the continuation of a nationwide call for young entrepreneurs in Africa. Undoubtedly the EFI’s most entertaining endeavor, the show also had a greater mission in mind: to build economic opportunity within the country.

In 2020 The Opportunities Are Here Project X arrived in Uganda, presented by the Ethical Fashion Initiative and the EU.

Surely the EFI’s most fun project to date, this televised talent competition followed a nationwide call for young creative entrepreneurs in Africa. But there’s also serious agenda – building economic opportunity.
The show’s three judges included Joram Muzira Job, Uganda’s top model agent, and in this fabulous interview Joram shares his career story and advice for the next generation coming through.

Mr. Mdingi gained experience in fashion media, retail, styling and art direction before realizing his heart was set on fashion design and, in 2015, starting his own label. Working with local patternmakers and the knitting communities in the Eastern Cape, Mr. Mdingi designs knitwear that bridges the gap between artisanal and modern design.

“Our growth has been like zero to two, not zero to 100, but I am happy with that,” he said. “Our roots are in human hands and what we have at our disposal in this country.”

“I discovered EFI through a friend who was doing some work with them. They had a call for designers back in 2013-2014 that I responded to and got accepted… What they were trying to do was connect the dots and help build a local fashion industry but also build a product, and at the same time build the market. It was really consistent with what I was trying to do: work with marginalized communities.” says Erwiah.

This episode is guest hosted by American stylist and creative director Alexander-Julian Gibbson.

In this vibrant conversation with Abrima Erwiah, co-founder and president of fashion social enterprise Studio 189, you’ll hear all about creating, running and building a fashion business with purpose in Accra and New York.

Simone is also an officer of the United Nations who is a passionate advocate for fair trade, equal employment, and the promotion of creative micro-enterprises as a vehicle out of poverty.

Led by Simone, EFI has been instrumental in boosting a new generation of rising fashion talent in Africa, showcasing the initiative at several international trade fairs including the EFI Accelerator Programme, the ‘Africa to Rome’ showcase that promoted the works of African designers including Christie Brown and Kiki Clothing,

Alexander-Julian Gibbson is a Houston-based stylist and content creator known for his directional shoots for magazines (think GQ, Vogue and Flaunt) and musicians like Patoranking.

This week, Simone and Clare meet the Nigerian-American creative force to discuss Lagos style, why the world is looking to African fashion right now, and career pathways for emerging Black creatives.

+Three°°° collabora con EFI – Ethical Fashion Initiative, il programma di moda etica dell’ONU (di un’agenzia congiunta ONU-WTO, che dal nome International Trade Centre). EFI crea e gestisce filiere di lavoro etiche per artigiane che si trovano a vivere in condizioni di estrema marginalità in paesi in via di sviluppo o affetti da conflitto. Le artigiane di EFI forniscono alcuni fra i maggiori marchi e distributori mondiali di moda. EFI gestisce anche un acceleratore per marchi di moda emergenti in Africa e presiede la UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion.

Elle a ajouté que cette célébration est aussi une occasion pour eux de rappeler l’importance de l’artisanat tout en évoquant les conditions dans lesquelles ils vivent. « Le pop pop de cette édition, par les expositions et les troupes traditionnelles, nous voulons rappeler l’importance de l’artisanat dans le monde et surtout au Burkina Faso. Il faut que nous mettions en lumière leur savoir-faire. Les accompagnements dans ce sens sont rares. Il faut trouver un moyen de les booster pour le Bien-être de nos artisans », a-t-elle déclaré.

Pour information, CABES-GIE est une initiative logée dans le projet Ethical Fashion Initiative qui est un projet initié par des agences conjointes de l’organisation des Nations Unies. Il a été initié pour mettre en relation les communautés défavorisées d’artisanats dans le monde. Les éditions précédentes elle a bénéficié de l’accompagnement de l’Union Européenne. Cependant, à cette édition, CABES-GIE a fonctionné sur fonds propres, selon Judith Sawadogo.

Proprio in occasione dell’Earth Day viene presentata la nuova label +Three°°°.Il nome nasce da un allarmante rapporto dell’UNEP (United Nation Environment Program) che delinea uno scenario in cui entro il 2050 il riscaldamento globale supererà i tre gradi centigradi, innescando alterazioni irreversibili dell’ecosistema globale quali la desertificazione di alcune aree e i fenomeni di gravi eventi atmo- sferici, oltre a colossali migrazioni. +Three°°° collabora con EFI – Ethical Fashion Initiative, il programma di moda etica dell’ONU (di un’agenzia congiunta ONU-WTO, che dal nome International Trade Centre). EFI crea e gestisce filiere di lavoro etiche per artigiane che si trovano a vivere in condizioni di estrema marginalità in paesi in via di sviluppo o affetti da conflitto. Le artigiane di EFI forniscono alcuni fra i maggiori marchi e distributori mondiali di moda. EFI gesti- sce anche un acceleratore per marchi di moda emergenti in Africa e presiede la UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion. EFI applica rigorosamente un codice comportamentale incentrato sul rispetto dei diritti umani, delle condizioni di lavoro come definite nelle convenzioni dell’ILO, sull’applicazione del living wage e su un attenta gestione dell’impatto sia sociale che ambientale.

+Three°°° collabora con EFI – Ethical Fashion Initiative, il programma di moda etica dell’ONU (di un’agenzia congiunta ONU-WTO, che dal nome International Trade Centre). EFI crea e gestisce filiere di lavoro etiche per artigiane che si trovano a vivere in condizioni di estrema marginalità in paesi in via di sviluppo o affetti da conflitto. Le artigiane di EFI forniscono alcuni fra i maggiori marchi e distributori mondiali di moda. EFI gestisce anche un acceleratore per marchi di moda emergenti in Africa e presiede la UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion. EFI applica rigorosamente un codice comportamentale incentrato sul rispetto dei diritti umani, delle condizioni di lavoro come definite nelle convenzioni dell’ILO, sull’applicazione del living wage e su un attenta gestione dell’impatto sia sociale che ambientale.

The episode is all about ethically-produced fashion and art, but primarily touches on Burundi and the emerging opportunities within its borders.

The designer explains the challenges in finding artisans who are skilled in traditional techniques, how she’s found it possible to succeed at both motherhood and entrepreneurship through “passion, love and perseverance” and how Burundi will learn to appreciate art once more.

Simone Cipriani (Founder and Head of the Ethical Fashion Initiative (“EFI”) and Clare Press (Sustainable Journalist and Writer), return to host the second series of the Ethical Fashion podcast, first launched in June 2020 to champion the power of discussion and explore the issues driving the ethical fashion conversation.

+Three°°° collabora infatti con EFI – Ethical Fashion Initiative, il programma di moda etica dell’ONU, la quale crea e gestisce filiere di lavoro etiche per artigiane che si trovano a vivere in condizioni di estrema marginalità in Paesi in via di sviluppo o affetti da conflitto. Un successo quello di EFI, tanto che le sue artigiane forniscono alcuni fra i maggiori marchi e distributori mondiali di moda. EFI gestisce anche un acceleratore per marchi fashion emergenti in Africa e presiede la UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion.

The Ethical Fashion Initiative’s Ethical Fashion Podcast aired the third episode, ‘New African Designers To Know’, of its second series dedicated solely to African stories, on April 8th.

Hosts Simone Cipriani and Clare Press guide the conversation alongside two designers from the Ethical Fashion Initiative’s inaugural Accelerator Programme for African Designers, Jennifer Mulli of Kenyan brand Jiamini, and Lukhanyo Mdingi, founder of South African brand with the same name. Jiamini, known for its extravagant beaded handiwork, and Lukhanyo Mdingi, a locally-manufactured fashion brand globally recognized for its sophisticated collections, both form a part of a new wave of emerging designers that are promoting the future of slow fashion.

“The current business model of the industry – the one only based on shareholder value, which is to say a very short term view – is not sustainable”.

“We work in many areas with extreme poverty and we see the need for people to have more in many of these places. These conversations on circulatory, on reducing production, must not hide the most important conversation. In this global conversation on the new business model, there must also be a conversation about equity and justice.” says Cipriani

Geneva, 1st April 2021: ‘Women & Tech. Doing Business in Africa’, the second episode in the newly premiered Ethical Fashion Podcast’s second series, airs today featuring two prominent female business leaders in Ghana and their trajectory towards a career in tech in the region.

The booming creative economy and continuous growing access to technology in the continent offer exciting opportunities for the new generation. But with young adults making up an incredible 60% of Africa’s unemployed population, the secret to getting ahead remains unclear. Guest hosted by Roberta Annan, Ghanaian entrepreneur and founder of African Fashion Foundation, in conversation with Vodafone Ghana’s CEO Patricia Obo-Nai, this second episode seeks to explore the career challenges the young population is facing today and how digital connectivity and mentoring of the new generation might be the solutions to professional success.

‘Women & Tech. Doing Business in Africa’, the second episode in the newly premiered Ethical Fashion Podcast’s second series, aired on Thursday.

It featuring two prominent female business leaders in Ghana and their trajectory towards a career in tech in the region.

The booming creative economy and continuous growing access to technology in the continent offer exciting opportunities for the new generation. But with young adults making up an incredible 60% of Africa’s unemployed population, the secret to getting ahead remains unclear.

“These are complex issues that cannot be addressed in an isolated way. We just speak about climate change, we just speak about decarbonisation, we just speak about reducing production. They’re all part of the same vision, they’re all part of the business model,” says Simone Cipriani, officer of the United Nations and head of the Ethical Fashion Initiative.

The Ethical Fashion Initiative launched the second series of its podcast dedicated to African stories on March 25th, with an exclusive interview featuring world-renowned designer of Ghanian descent, Virgil Abloh, who openly speaks on his experience of racism, his attempts to democratize luxury fashion, and his thoughts on social media.

Abloh, who is Louis Vuitton Men’s Artistic Director as well as the founder of Milan-based label Off-White, offers a radical vision of all forms of creative expression being equal. “An Instagram post is as much of an artwork as a 300-look fashion collection,” he says. “Something I made 20 years ago as a student – like my thesis [on] architecture … is just as valid as a new Nike shoe. There is no hierarchy.”

Virgil Abloh is one of the most interesting designers in the global fashion industry today. He is the artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton, as well as the creative force behind his own brand, Off-White. A true polymath, he is a multimedia artist who moves culture forwards and describes his creative process across multiple platforms as “taking an idea and dreaming it aloud”.

In the first episode of Series 2 of the Ethical Fashion Podcast, Simone and Clare sit down with Abloh to discuss diversity and inclusion, his latest projects, what he calls “mentoring by existence” and his personal creative journey. It’s a rollercoaster ride conversation, swooping from Andy Warhol to Miles Davis and James Baldwin to Caravaggio, fashion students, Abloh’s aims and inspirations, and the role of a designer today.

The Ethical Fashion Initiative will launch the second series of its podcast dedicated to African stories, today March 25th, with an exclusive interview featuring world-renowned designer of Ghanian descent, Virgil Abloh, who openly speaks on his experience of racism, his attempts to democratise luxury fashion and his thoughts on social media.

Abloh, who is Louis Vuitton Men’s Artistic Director as well as founder of Milan-based label Off-White, offers a radical vision of all forms of creative expression being equal. “An Instagram post is as much of an artwork as a 300-look fashion collection,” he says. “Something I made 20 years ago as a student – like my thesis [on] architecture … is just as valid as a new Nike shoe. There is no hierarchy.” This makes sense, given his recent opening up of Off-White’s platform to emerging creatives via Imaginary TV. Abloh is smashing down the barriers to entry.