Two Kenyan artisans display beadwork skills at Italian trade show
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Artisanal excellence at Lineapelle Fair in Milan

8 October 2024
ITC News

For artisans in challenging and remote locations, global luxury brands can seem worlds away. The ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative connects artisans directly with international buyers. From 17 to 19 September, five talented African women showcased their talents at Italy’s most important leather goods trade event, the Lineapelle Fair in Milan.

The Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) at the International Trade Centre brought to Milan three women artisans from Kenya, one from Burkina Faso, and one from Benin. This was EFI’s second time participating this year.
At Lineapelle, the artisans held live demonstrations, showcasing their extraordinary crafts skills in fabric weaving as well as in making bags and accessories.

Officials at ITC booth with African artisans at Italian leather trade fair
September 2024, Milan, Italy – Official Visit of AICS and ITC representatives at the EFI booth.
Photo by Lineapelle

EFI has built a resilient international supply chain, structured as a network of social enterprises, which coordinates the work of artisans across Africa. Supported by four regional hubs in Eastern and Western Africa, these social enterprises manage production, trade, and logistics with precision and expertise. For over 15 years, EFI has demonstrated that high-quality production and global exports can coexist with fair wages, decent working conditions, and strong community resilience.

Kenya

  • Upcycled textile weaving: EFI’s newly created Kenyan social enterprise Tujikuze presented innovations in textile upcycling, turning discarded materials into fashionable, functional products with the support of Africa Collect Textiles.
  • Macramé beading: With this intricate handcraft, knotted cords create elaborate patterns. This technique, widely used in bags and accessories, offers a beautiful combination of texture and artistry.
  • Maasai beading: Featuring traditional Maasai craftsmanship, this style of beadwork is a celebration of cultural heritage, creating stunning, colourful designs that symbolize social status and identity within Maasai communities.

Burkina Faso and Benin

  • Handweaving faso danfani textile: Flora Lankoande, founder of social enterprise CABES GIE in Burkina Faso, captivated Visitors with the artistry of weaving organic cotton into faso danfani textiles. This unique rainfed organic cotton is grown sustainably and woven into vibrant, traditionally-inspired fabrics that reflect the region's rich textile heritage.
  • Cotton hand spinning: Dehanatou Tairou Issa, director of Espace Tissage de Djougou in Benin, demonstrated how to skillfully transform raw cotton seeds into beautiful thread. That becomes the source of sustainable, handcrafted fabrics.

A booth full of energy and innovation

 

EFI’s enlarged stand at Lineapelle buzzed with excitement. The live demonstrations drew hundreds of visitors, offering a hands-on experience of the incredible manual skills that define EFI’s production and products. Many visitors interacted directly with the artisans, asking questions, and expressing genuine interest in the craftsmanship and materials on display. EFI’s emphasis on sustainable practices and social impact resonated with the fashion professionals in attendance, reinforcing the importance of ethical sourcing and artisanal craftsmanship in today's market.

In Kenya, EFI is supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS),

In West Africa, EFI is supported by the Organisation of African, Caribbean and the Pacific States (OACPS).