Fashion Show in Benin celebrates World Cotton Day
Ten West African fashion designers took over the runway for a fashion in Cotonou, Benin, in a unique celebration to mark World Cotton Day. The event highlighted cotton as an indispensable natural fibre, with a huge economic, social and cultural impact throughout the world.
The fashion show, organized by the International Trade Centre’s Ethical Fashion Initiative, was held on October 7th in the idyllic setting of the Novotel garden in Cotonou.
Held under the theme, ‘Cotton, our pride’, African designers displayed their shared passion for cotton. Each designer incorporated this fibre into unique pieces inspired by African heritage and ancestral know-how. The fabrics were produced in the Ethical Fashion Initiative production network in Benin and Burkina Faso, guaranteeing unrivalled quality and authenticity. The Initiative accompanied these designers throughout the process, from the choice of fabrics to finalizing the collections, strengthening the collaboration between designers and artisans.
Art project with NABA
Alongside the fashion show, a unique art project was created in collaboration with the prestigious NABA Accademia Belle Arti based in Milan, Italy. A series of artistic panels created from cotton yarn and fabric celebrated the journey of cotton from flower to fabric. The project is a vibrant tribute to African craftsmanship, in tune with the values of World Cotton Day.
World Cotton Day
World Cotton Day, celebrated every 7 October, is an initiative to promote the importance of this essential natural fibre for many economies, particularly those of African countries. The event recognizes not only cotton's contribution to the global textile industry, but also its social and economic impact in the rural communities where it is grown and processed.
Participating designers:
- Atelier V.O., Stéphanie Morayo Ossé - Benin
Ethical brand that showcases Beninese cotton using craft techniques such as vegetable dyeing. - Couleur Indigo, Nadia Adanlé - Benin
Blending modernity and tradition, this brand specialises in indigo and textile recycling. - Edi Sessi, Edith Bidossessi Dassounon - Benin
Prestigious fashion house renowned for its collections in Beninese woven loincloth. - Fare, Peter Toni-Basengula - Benin
A brand committed to a sustainable future, using local textiles and recycling denim. - Lolo Andoche, Charlemagne Amoussou - Benin
Beninese fashion icon with 30 years' experience, working mainly with dyed cotton. - Sean Nobayo, Elvis Sanya - Benin
Combination of traditional and modern styles for men and women, highlighting African fashion. - We Are Everyone, Prissile Olivia Kuessi - Benin
Eco-responsible unisex brand that advocates inclusivity and upcycling. - 1L Mode, Daniel Aplogan - Benin
A bold, creative brand born of the designer's quest for authenticity. - JK Dressing, Jean Kassim Dembélé - Mali
Eco-responsible designer showcasing Malian handmade fabrics. - Sébastien Bazemo, Burkina Faso
Renowned for his creations in Koko Dunda, a revisited Burkinabe fabric.
The fashion show event was organized by the ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative with the support of:
- The ITC ACP Business-friendly Programme: Supporting value chains through inclusive policies, investment promotion and alliances – funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and the Pacific States
- The ITC West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP) in Mali.
