Artisan Circular Ecologies

Since 2009, the Ethical Fashion Initiative has provided vulnerable artisans with market access and training. It acts as a bridge, connecting marginalized artisan communities in challenging and remote locations with global lifestyle brands. Linking international brands with a network of SIDS-based artisans would give their communities access to the international marketplace. So the EFI creates an employment model for artisans and an opportunity to improve their lives. An artisan economy with meaningful work, and fair and decent working conditions, employing traditional skills, can foster the development of local design talent. In this context, SIDS offers a blank sheet to establish closed cycle manufacturing with community artisans that supports the development of export capacities in a global waste-free circular economy.