Made in Africa: Sika

Sika was founded by Phyllis Taylor who "finds inspiration in her native Ghanaian culture, its colors, and landscape and sources fabrics for her designs [...] 'So much energy and inspiration comes from there! Africa as a source of inspiration often gets overlooked, with all the negativity that goes on – it can affect people’s judgement. I want to begin to change those negative stereotypes of Africa and I think I can make a start by bringing African prints to the forefront of fashion,' Taylor explains."

"Every fabric has been carefully selected in local Ghanaian markets and is hand-made using natural methods, creating exclusive limited prints. Each unique piece defines an area in West Africa’s vast textile landscape, using traditional fabrics such as tie dye, batiks and wax prints. All garments are produced in Ghana by highly skilled tailors and seamstresses."

Sika fashion can be bought online or in London at "Cherry Picked", 5a Greenwich Market, Greenwich, SE10 9HZ, England.

quote 1: www.blulabelbungalow.com
quote 2: www.sikadesigns.co.uk
photos: Sika's Facebook group
***
Sika wurde von Phyllis Taylor gegründet, die die Stoffe für ihre Designs auf lokalen Märkten in Ghana aussucht. Sie verwendet nur Stoffe, die mit traditionellen Methoden wie Batik oder Wachsdruck in Westafrika hergestellt wurden. Alle Kleidungsstücke werden in Ghana produziert.

Sika kann online gekauft werden oder in London bei "Cherry Picked", 5a Greenwich Market, Greenwich, SE10 9HZ, England.

Made in Africa: SAWA

SAWA was launched in Paris in March 2010 by three French friends united by a love for Africa and shoes. Click here to read Janette Crawford's blog about SAWA on Commerce with a Conscience.

***

Das Label SAWA wurde im März 2010 von drei Freunden in Paris gegründet: Fabio Di Iorio, der als Designer für Le Coq Sportif und Adidas Originals tätig war, Mehdi Slimani der im Product Management für Le Coq Sportif arbeitete und Frédéric Barthélemy. Alle Zutaten für die SAWA Schuhe kommen aus Afrika: die Schnürsenkel aus Tunesien, Gummi aus Ägypten, Leder aus Nigeria, Canvas aus Kamerun (hier wird auch produziert) und die Verpackung aus Südafrika. Leider geht der Online-Verkauf erst im August los. In Deutschland gibt es die Schuhe im Moment nur bei Wood Wood in Berlin. Eine komplette Liste der internationalen Shops findet ihr hier unter "our shops".

Einen ausführlicheren Artikel über SAWA gibt es auf Englisch bei Commerce with a Conscience.

Noch mehr Turnschuhe made in Africa: Oliberté.

photos: www.sawashoes.com

Made in Africa: Ombre Claire

Usually, I couldn't care less about soccer but since yesterday's game (Germany/England) I might have caught the World Cup fever just a little bit and it also inspired me to dedicate this week to fair trade products made in Africa. I will start with Ombre Claire's latest range of gorgeous Tuareg jewelry entitled Géométries:




Eigentlich interessiert mich Fußball überhaupt gar nicht, aber nach dem Spiel gestern bin ich jetzt doch etwas im WM-Fieber. Außerdem hat es mich darauf gebracht, diese Woche Fair Trade Produkten aus Afrika zu widmen. Ich beginne mit der neuesten Schmucklinie von Ombre Claire - wunderschöner Silber und Ebenholz Schmuck gefertigt von Tuaregs in Niger.

Why American Apparel is going out of fashion

"Charney founded the company 13 years ago. Today he owns a little over half of it – but he may well not after the end of the month.[...] Charney's cherished business model – his decision to make all the clothes at HQ in Los Angeles rather than in low-cost countries such as China, as encapsulated in his slogan "sweatshop free" – is approaching a crossroads." American Apparel's "financial fortunes have shifted dramatically and obviously. Charney blames a raid on his LA factory last year, in which it was discovered that 1,500 workers – almost one in three – was an illegal immigrant to the US. As a consequence of the raid, American Apparel struggled to keep the plant running."
Quotes: Why American Apparel is going out of fashion. By Stephen Foley. www.independent.co.uk

More info: American Apparel shares tumble 41% as same-store sales fall. By Andrea Chang. www.latimes.com
Immigration Crackdown With Firings, Not Raids. By Julia Preston. www.nytimes.com
American Apparel faces fresh crisis. By Allison Linn. msnbc.com

***

Ein interessanter Artikel über die finanziellen Schwierigkeiten American Apparels: www.independent.co.uk
Weitere Informationen siehe Links oben und hier sowie ganz aktuell auf textilwirtschaft.de

Much lower prices for THEKEY.TO ACADEMY and a new deadline

Thanks to sponsors the admission price for the Academy of this year's THEKEY.TO, Berlin's eco and fair trade fashion fair, has dropped from 950 Euros to a mere 270 Euros. The deadline for applications has also been extended to the 30th of June 2010.

Please note that the location has been changed to POSTBAHNHOF, Straße der Pariser Kommune 8, 10243 Berlin, Germany.

THE KEY.TO ACADEMY 5-10 July 2010 in Berlin - five days left to apply

Vom 5. bis zum 10. Juli 2010 wird in Berlin die KEY.TO Academy stattfinden, ein füntägiger Workshop rund um das Thema faire und nachhaltige Produktion. Es bleiben noch 5 Tage Zeit, um sich anzumelden. Auf der Academy wird Englisch gesprochen werden:

how do I participate: "To reserve your place, please download the Application forms from THEKEY.TO website - http://www.thekey.to/academy/ and submit by June 20 to academy@thekey.to."

how much: 950 € complete package (includes lunch and free drinks)/ reduced fee (students): 690 €; 195 € per day / reduced fee: 145 € per day

when: Monday 5th July to Saturday 10th July.

where: POSTBAHNHOF, Straße der Pariser Kommune 8, 10243 Berlin, Germany.

what: The full program can be found here.

"THEKEY.TO ACADEMY offers you a six-day expert program of workshops and talks given by high profile speakers, providing in-depth knowledge and inspiration in the field of green and sustainable fashion.

The ACADEMY serves as an advance training for industry professionals, offering an intensive course in sustainable fashion and business along the whole supply chain. Topics include textiles, sourcing, production, certifications, CSR, branding, marketing, design, retail, sales, social business and financing. Participants have the opportunity to gain from a deeper understanding of green fashion and expert advice to apply to their current or future business models.

The ACADEMY is directed specifically at designers working independently, product managers, buying and sourcing teams, supply chain and CSR managers, marketing and communication teams and newcomers to the green fashion business. The sessions will be conducted in the English language with small groups and a variety of international speakers, including designers, company- and NGO-representatives and sustainability experts. The focus of the ACADEMY is on facilitating discussion between expert speakers and participants. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with any questions or experience they would like to discuss with our expert speakers."

All quotes: http://thekey.to/

discount codes at Armed Angels

Magno Wooden Radio

The wooden radio by Magno is fabricated by hand, piece by piece, at Singgih Susilo Kartono’s workshop in Temanggung in Central Java (Indonesia).

Das wooden radio von Magno wird in der Werkstatt von Singgih Susilo Kartono in Temanggung in Central Java (Indonesien) Stück-für-Stück von Hand angefertigt.

photos: www.glore.de