Retailers and designers such as ASOS and Vivienne Westwood are displaying a range of African designs through their collection, aiming to promote ethical and environmentally aware African fashion through collaboration with SOKO Kenya and Ethical Africa Program.
The online fashion boutique ASOS Africa collection 2013 has taken inspiration from the East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, in an effort to revive African art and craft. The collection produced in collaboration with SOKO Kenya, is an initiative that allows communities to pursue sustainable business ideas through local art and craftsmanship. This collaboration was setup by Joanna Maiden, Founder and Managing Director of SOKO Kenya, in 2009 aiming to create both, employment opportunities and improving social services. In the past, ASOS has also collaborated with Wildlife Works and has used organic fabrics and coconut buttons made within the local community of the Tsavo East National Park in Kenya.
In addition to ASOS, Vivienne Westwood has also made uniforms out of sustainable polyester fabric made from recycled pet bottles for Virgin Atlantic. Through collaboration with the Ethical Africa Program, the products are produced in one of the world’s biggest slums, the Kibera Township in Nairobi, providing employment opportunities to the poor and empowerment of women.
Post a Comment