Vivienne Westwood's Ethical Fashion Africa Project

Vivienne Westwood has just launched her Ethical Fashion Africa Collection a collaboration with International Trade Center and Yoox. The collection which has been designed exclusively for Yoox will be available from both her own website and the Yoox website and features a selection of handbags and keyholders in Vivienne Westwood's signature style with a taste of Africa. The bags are made in Nairobi using recyled materials including roadside advertisement banners and safari tents.

The interesting thing about this collection is that whilst it was launched at a party held with the glamorous backdrop of Pitti Immagine in Florence it is about much more than luxury and glamour. Vivienne Westwood has always done things her own way and this project is no different. She wanted to send a bold and innovative message that is all about giving women the power to make a difference for themselves by teaching them precious skills. She actually travelled to Nairobi in Kenya to teach the African women how to use locally-sourced, recycled materials to produce fashionable bags and accessories. The result is not only a fabulous collection but also the learning of new skills that will help these women to live sustainably both now and in the future.

This amazing initiative has also been documented and made into a film by photography legend Juergen Teller.

I am a big fan of Vivienne Westwood anyway but this collection is great, it looks lovely and sends a really postive message. Having such an influential designer getting involved in the ethical fashion industry in this way can only be a good thing. Perhaps other designers will follow suit.