A stage for African artisans at global fashion event
Lineapelle is the world's most important international exhibition dedicated to leather, accessories and leather goods, taking place twice a year in Milan, Italy.
Through the ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative, new products including bags, accessories and textiles created by artisans from Burkina Faso and Kenya stood alongside top global designers. It’s one way that we make trade work better, by connecting small businesses in developing countries to global markets.
The organic cotton and upcycled leather goods are already beautiful. To make them stand out in a vast venue, Ghanaian creative Richmond Orlando Mensah designed a minimalist stand in deep red tones.
‘As a scenographer for EFI at Lineapelle, I adopted a minimalistic approach, emphasizing craftsmanship, sustainability, and cultural heritage,’ he said. ‘Inspired by deep red tones derived from natural dyes, the design provided a refined yet immersive setting that resonated with EFI’s ethos.’
His design put the focus on the products. From Kenya came handwoven baskets in natural fibres, bags and sandals made in handwoven up-cycled textiles, and leather goods. And from Burkina Faso, handwoven Faso Danfani fabrics made from rainfed cotton proudly displayed their organic certifications.
Our booth included the works of Tujikuze and Artisan Fashion from Kenya as well as Cabes GIE from Burkina Faso. EFI acts as a bridge, connecting marginalised artisan communities in challenging and remote locations with global lifestyle brands.
That complements a core mission of the International Trade Centre (ITC), to bring small businesses into global trade so that they enjoy the benefits of higher prices and better incomes.
We highlighted our work in West Africa, where artisans work with organic and rain-fed cotton to produce handwoven textiles called Faso Dan Fani. In Kenya, our two social enterprise partners produce a wide range of bags and accessories made with natural fibres and locally sourced leather.
This was the 6th consecutive time that EFI participated at Lineapelle. The show ran from 25 to 27 February.
Mensah is a creative consultant specializing in photography, contemporary art, and fashion. His work bridges African heritage with contemporary narratives, connecting progressive brands and institutions to wider audiences.
‘Every element — from the spatial arrangement to the material choices — was designed to enhance the tactile experience, allowing the craftsmanship to take centre stage,’ said Mensah. ‘This experience reinforced the impact of thoughtful spatial storytelling in elevating artisanal work to a global audience while fostering deeper engagement with ethical fashion.’
Visitors showing strong interest in the artisans’ work and the stories behind each creation. The Ethical Fashion Initiative’s commitment to sustainability and social impact continues to resonate with industry professionals, reinforcing the relevance of responsible sourcing and authentic craftsmanship in today’s market.
‘Their work in bridging heritage techniques with contemporary design while creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities deeply resonated with my own mission,’ Mensah said. ‘Over the years, I’ve followed their impact in fostering global collaborations, amplifying underrepresented creative voices, and shaping a more responsible fashion ecosystem—one that prioritizes both cultural integrity and innovation.’
The participating social enterprises remain open to new collaborations and are ready to receive production orders from fashion brands seeking high-quality, ethically made products.
‘I was particularly drawn to EFI’s commitment to sustainable craftsmanship, ethical production, and the empowerment of artisans across Africa.’
About Tujikuze
Tujikuze is a social impact enterprise based in Kenya with a game-changing approach to apparel & accessory production for fashion and lifestyle brands & retailers. By connecting the worlds of African craftsmanship with global fashion, Tujikuze actively shapes a more sustainable future for fashion while fostering social and economic change in the communities it supports.
About Cabes
Founded in 2014, CABES (Commerce et Artisanat, pour le Bien Être Social) is a network of 91 associations and nearly 2,400 artisans, mostly women, who specialize in transforming GOTS-certified organic cotton into the quintessence of Burkinabe textile Faso Dan Fani. We specialize in the production of traditional West African textiles.
About Artisan Fashion
Artisan Fashion was founded in 2009 with the support of the EFI in Kenya. They produce and reliably deliver collections of jewellery, homeware, bags and accessories for Luxury and fashion brands right across the world.
In Kenya, EFI is supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
In West Africa, EFI is supported by the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and the Pacific States (OACPS) under the ACP - Business Friendly Programme.