So you thought that eco fashion couldn’t be couture? Think again. Carmina Campus takes creative recycling and applies it to fashion and design – and it’s straight from the Fendi family! Maria Ilaria Venturini Fendi, third generation of the Fendi line, created Carmina Campus and has partnered with the International Trade Centre and Ethical Fashion Africa to promote development of working opportunities for communities of marginalized women in Kenya and Uganda. Ilaria’s specific focus on the environment uses recycled and re-used materials in an innovative and rather distinctive way to create ethically produced accessories.
A major part of Carmina Campus’ production is located in Italy, like most of the Fendi line, but most notably are the products semi-finished in Africa.
Recently, Ilaria presented collections produced 100% in Africa using eco-friendly materials that enable hundreds of artisan women to improve their lives both economically and socially. Additionally, Carmina Campus sends skilled accessory design professionals to train those involved with the Ethical Fashion Africa program.
With the goal to benefit people and communities while minimizing the impact on the environment, Ethical Fashion strives to take an active role in poverty reduction, sustainable livelihood creation, and counteracting environmental concerns. They call this the ‘Revolution in Consumerism’ and it’s changing the market and disclosing opportunities for informal manufacturers to become part of the global supply chain both domestically and regionally.
This new approach is designed to promote sustainable business rather than aid dependency and it’s no wonder why Carmina Campus’ slogan tagged on several styles of the “100% Made in Africa” collection read NOT CHARITY, JUST WORK.
Ilaria Fendi has shed light on sustainable living for African communities while also sharing her love of fashion in an eco-conscious way. We here at Rain Tees invite and encourage you to check out Carmina Campus and support what they do for both the environment and the women of Africa, which is a region we have launched into this year as well.
By
Raissa Wagner
Rain Tees Contributor
