The partnership with the Ethical Fashion Initiative represents a great occasion to build valuable and concrete paths together with artisans and the creative talent of this continent

Ethical fashion partnered with Lai-momo, an Italian organisation that welcomes asylum-seekers to Italy and promotes cross-cultural exchanges between Africa and Europe.

Selected and supported by ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative, this was the second showcase of the African Designer Programme at Florence’s Menswear tradeshow, Pitti Uomo, to raise awareness of African fashion as well as social issues.

This time the Ethical Fashion Initiative partnered with Lai-momo, an Italian organization working with migrants, to cast three asylum seekers to participate as paid models, alongside other professional models in the show.

“Africa is about innovation,” Mr. Cipriani said.

Simone Cipriani, founder of the Initiative, announced the creation of a pilot program to train a group of 30 asylum seekers

EFI decided to take their actions one step further this year. Three asylum seekers were included amongst the models on the catwalk, and two others were selected for a photoshoot.

The Ethical Fashion Initiative harnesses fashion design and production as a vehicle for positive social, financial, sustainable change for women garment workers.

Le projet a permis d’apporter une sécurité financière à des centaines de femmes qui vivaient sous le seuil de pauvreté à Nairobi ou à Kibera le plus grand bidonville de la capitale kényane.

Les artisans, souvent des femmes, habitent des bidonvilles et trouvent ainsi dans ce projet un début d’autonomie et un moyen de sortir de la pauvreté.

: Not charity, just work, lo slogan scelto da Ethical Fashion per presentare questa iniziativa (giunta ormai alla terza edizione) si addice alla perfezione alla filosofia dei quattro creativi.

Fully organic leather, incredible 100% natural silk, and some materials developed out of recycling.

Add in Marni, Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney, to name a few, and the mix becomes just the right amount of glamour and ethics to keep this fashionista happy.

Comme une trentaine d’autres maisons, Osklen est partenaire de l’Ethical Fashion Initiative, un programme né en 2009 avec le soutien des Nations Unies et de l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC).

Cipriani sets up the network that trains and oversees the production until the microbusinesses can be handed over to the communities.

High-end fashion from Africa can gain a competitive advantage by continuing to enhance its sustainability credentials, says Helen Jennings.

Someone who knows how to recognize and appreciate beautiful fashion products, made in a sustainable way, is Simone Cipriani.

Je définirai la mode éthique comme responsable, l’importance de ce mouvement est de savoir comment est réalisé le produit. Selon moi, c’est l’avenir de la mode.

Ce programme, mis en place par Simone Cipriani, réussit le tour de force de promouvoir à la fois les microproducteurs, le travail féminin et le commerce éthique.

ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative champions – with good practice, quality fabrics and materials that are environmentally friendly

Simone Cipriani, the master force behind the Beat of Africa project

Depuis son lancement, il y a cinq ans, 90 % de ses sept mille bénéficiaires affirment que leur revenus ont permis une amélioration de leur lieu de vie ; 74,4 % ont pu économiser pour la première fois de leur vie ; et 83 % des femmes impliquées envoient désormais leurs enfants à l’école.

The story of the EFI is one that proves ethics and luxury can go hand in hand.

Offered assistance for women’s economic independence