Back in 2009, the Ethical fashion initiative was created by a man named Simone Cipirani, an experienced leather industry worker whom had the opportunity of working in countries like Italy, Vietnam, China, Morocco and Indonesia. After gaining loads of experience, he relocated to Ethiopia to set up service centers for the local leather industry. After getting to know the workers and micro producers, he noticed a market opportunity where he could connect skilled manufacturers with the fashion industry. This idea later became the Ethical Fashion Initiative.

In this company, the main goal is to create a responsible fashion industry that measures its impact and takes care of the manufacturers. It not only makes sure that workers earn a decent salary, have good working conditions and protect the environment, but also allows marginalized artisans to sell their work to international stores. Also, as explained on their interview, they “Support Africa’s rising generation of fashion designers, and encourage them to forge sustainable and fulfilling creative collaborations with local artisans.”

A few names of their current partners are top fashion brands like Akoma, Camper, Kare Walker, Lancaster, Mifuko, Mimko, Stella Mccartney , Vogue and Vivienne westwood. Once these stores become partners, they compromise to create responsible fashion goods and improve the lives of their artisans. Also, the Ethical Fashion Initiative works with designers from Africa in order to promote the continents talent and encourage top brands to work with them. Brands like Aaks,Duaba serwa, Mina Wvans, Radford and Orange Culture have achieved this and helped support the development of regional export capacities.

It is truly inspiring how this company has managed to change so many designers lives and it is a joy to learn that apart from their African artisan network, they are currently also working on creating a new network in areas like Brazil, India, Mexico and Peru.