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| Wednesday, October 01, 2008 |
| Beautiful - inside and out |
Here is a Time article on Ethiopian Supermodel Liya Kebede. She's really a superwoman - a mother of two, supermodel, WHO's goodwill ambassador, and now the founder of Lemlem (a high-end children clothing line hand-made in Ethiopia.)
Liya employs Ethiopian weavers who had been struggling due to slow demand for their products. Check out the clothes here and tell me if they are adorable or adorable. The knowledge that they also help villages of weavers back in Ethiopia - priceless!
Order some cute baby clothes from the comfort of your home/office. You'll be helping poor weavers all the way in Ethiopia.Labels: Ethiopian clothes, fair trade, Liya Kebede, philantropy |
posted by Fikirte @ 8:20 PM
 
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| Tuesday, March 11, 2008 |
| Fair trade getting fairer |
 I think the press release below is exciting. It is exciting because this will take fair trade to a new level - about time, too; it will give African fashion designers access to global market; Western designers won't get away with fashion plagiarism. But most importantly, I hope it will open up the global market for other commodities produced in developing countries.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has won the best exhibit award at one of the apparel industry's largest trade shows. Fifteen companies receiving aid from USAID's three trade hubs in Africa showcased garments with unique fabrics, patterns and colors at the Feb. 12-15 event in Las Vegas known as MAGIC Marketplace.
Each trade hub - located in Southern Africa (Botswana), Western Africa (Ghana, Senegal), and East and Central Africa (Kenya) - helps entrepreneurs in the region develop professional businesses capable of competing in the global arena.
The hubs also promote economic development within Africa by training African business owners to operate companies prudently and profitably. Business management and marketing skills are also strengthened in the process. African manufacturers seeking American markets are supported by the trade hubs to exhibit their goods at international trade shows. The U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act waives the duty for imports from Africa, further enabling African businesses to participate in formal economic trade.
The 15 companies, representing nine African countries, set up their displays inside the "Source Africa Pavilion," which was sponsored by USAID. Hundreds from the fashion industry attended MAGIC Marketplace each year hoping to attract the attention of buyers from the retail industry. Fulfilling USAID's humanitarian mandate, the African-designed goods are not only attracting buyers, but are also building economic momentum and putting Africa on the map as a viable supplier of apparel for American and international outlets.For more information about USAID and its other programs in Africa, visit www.usaid.gov.
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Labels: African fabric prints, African fashion, fair trade |
| posted by Fikirte @ 9:34 PM
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| Sunday, October 14, 2007 |
| Where is the fashion police? |
 A London celebrity designer, Matthew Williamson, gets his inspiration from several traditionally ethnic designs. Fair enough. No harm in nicking a bead hear and a print there. But is it ethical/legal/fair to copy a country's traditional dress and claim as if its your creation? Or is this going to be the next patent right fight Ethiopia is going to go through after Starbucks coffee?
These unmistakably Ethiopian dresses are part of Matthew's Spring 2008 collection. Judging by the pictures, the entire collection is "ethnic" inspired. However these are the two only Ethiopian dresses which appear in their original design.
Being inspired is one thing, but shamelessly copying something is outright theft. Sorry. On a more serious note, if this trend continues, would it have an impact on the livelihood of hundreds of Ethiopians whose livelihood depends on making the Abesha kemis?
Handicraft is therefore considered to be one of the most important and widely spread occupations of most Ethiopians next to Agriculture. As part of the handicrafts heritage, Ethiopia has diverse traditional handloom products. This sub sector provides large-scale employment and is an important source of livelihood for a large number of people in urban and rural areas. Based on the data collected in Year 2002 by the Central Statistical Authority (CSA) on cottages and handicrafts, it was revealed that there were a total of 211,842 handloom/weaving textiles enterprises in the country in various forms of ownership though benefits accrued from this sub sector was much below than expected. It will be nice if Matthew uses his fashion-weight to introduce the work of Ethiopian weavers and use their original product thereby boosting their meager income. Now that will be fair trade! (Thanks Selam)
Related links
Clothing in Africa
Ethiopian handloom products
History of Ethiopian clothing by Richard PankhurstLabels: Ethiopian clothes, fair trade, fashion theft, Matthew Willioamson |
| posted by Fikirte @ 7:41 AM
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| Monday, September 17, 2007 |
| Abol buna - an alternative to Starbucks? |
 Here is an Ethiopian-operated (plus a Walter) coffee company out of Maryland/Virginia.
They promise organic, eco-friendly, shade grown coffee and dedication to fair trade. Although the names of the type of coffee they carry are exactly the same as Starbuck's - Sidamo, Harar & Yirgachefe - they are already my favourite source for Ethiopian coffee.
(Thanks Selam!)Labels: Ethiopian coffee, fair trade, Starbucks |
| posted by Fikirte @ 6:33 AM
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| The face of VAW |
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Kamilat - victim of acid burning
The face of VAW - violence against women. It should and can be stopped with enough commitment. Helping one woman at a time is a start.
Go to the blog VAW - Do something!
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