Crafting an artisan story
THE BEGINNING
In 2009: the United Nations’ Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) launched a social project in Nairobi. Named Artisan Fashion, it coordinated production for the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Adidas, and Stella McCartney with marginalised communities in the East Africa region.
Artisan Fashion was the first project launched by EFI to connect artisans living in urban and rural poverty with the global fashion chain.
We became EFI’s successful story, and the business model has been replicated in other developing countries such as Burkina Faso. The logic of ethical production and consumption is one that generates value for all parties involved, from the very beginning of the supply chain right up to consumers.
Vivienne Westwood Spring-Summer 2014 collection
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What I do, making bags, can make a difference. This project gives people control over their lives – charity doesn’t give control, it does the opposite, it makes them dependant. It’s quite incredible to think that we might be able to save the world through fashion
– Dame Vivienne Westwood during her visit in Kenya in 2011
Karen Walker Spring-Summer 2017 Babou collection
SOCIAL ENTERPISE
By 2015: Artisan Fashion evolved into an independent social enterprise. Today, we are still driven by the same desire to support the development of local traditional skills providing artisans with a global market for their handmade products and investing in their education. And most importantly, as we do this, we have been creating: employment opportunities and economic development.
Over the years, we have produced collections of jewellery, homeware, bags and accessories for brands right across the world: from Chan Luu in Los Angeles and Karen Walker in Auckland to United Arrows in Tokyo and Mimco in Melbourne.
Our social supply chain grew with us. In 2015, we partnered with 23 artisanal groups in Kenya to create beautifully handcrafted products, providing work to over 570 artisans. Today, we engage 50 communities in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda) supporting 2,693 artisans.
Emporio Armani Olimpia Milano 2022 collection
OUR FUTURE
In 2021: we strengthen our partnership with the EFI through a collaboration with La Camera Nazionale Della Moda Italiana for the co-creation of a Due Diligence System that allows producers and brands to manage Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) risks and facilitate corporate sustainability reporting.
Artisan Fashion is the first producer in Africa to adopt this ESG Due Diligence System. By working with us, brands are welcomed into the EFI network whereby they have the opportunity to: better achieve their ESG goals and be a part of sustainability conversations for the future.
More recently: motivated by a desire to further our sustainable mission, we have started promoting circular production practices for upcycled collections, and we launched our own sustainable collection in 2022 . To do this, we are using the 180,000 tonnes of post-consumer waste that enters Kenya every year and the post-industrial waste from international fashion brands.
Endelea Beaded Hat 2022 collection made entirely with repurposed East African cotton
Mimco Tsavo Twist 2021 Collection
Karen Walker Fall-Winter 2015 collection
Sass and Bide 2013 limited edition collection
Vivienne Westwood Fall-Winter 2022 collection
OUR GLOBAL TEAM
We promote value in a virtuous circle that creates not just premium products, but also stable, dignified work, and creative and resilient women, men, and communities. Today, we employee 50 people and engage with over 48 communities in East Africa. The handmade nature of our work brings a natural variation to each and every product. All of them are carrying the stories our entire team of artisans.
I joined Artisan Fashion in 2019 as Impact Assessment Report assistant and, over the past 5 years, I experienced tremendous growth working in different roles and departments. I was promoted to Community Liaison Officer in 2022, to further my passion for community development. Working with the artisanal communities, most of whom are women living in marginalised areas, gives me a sense of fulfilment and joy. The social impact we generate across East Africa validates my purpose and motivates me to work harder every day. Artisan Fashion taught me the foundations to build my career while giving me the every-day opportunity to do what I love. I strive to bring positive impact to my country and provide social and economic empowerment through artisanal work.
– Violet Njoki
I am proud of having been part of the team since the very beginning! I joined in 2009 when Artisan Fashion was still a social project of the Ethical Fashion Initiative. It has been 14-years of growth, learning, relearning and unlearning! I joined as tailor – with minimal experience – but 14 years later, and now I am a supervisor! Besides improving my technical skills, Artisan Fashion has taught me how to be a leader: I became a supervisor in 2014. This leadership role helped me sharpen my “people skills” and to become a better team player!
– Susan Makau
