The disruption of corona virus on global value chains and it impact on African business is already evident.
As factories close their door, border closures and travel restrictions interrupt supply chains, the workers, the most vulnerable and lowest paid people in the fashion supply chain have been left to feel the worst effects.
Building more spring value chains through modern business models that will keep garment in use longer, using renewable material and recycling old clothes into new product was the focus of discussions during the 2nd webinar event organized Thursday 3 september, by the African Development Bank's Fashionomics, Africans maiden in collaboration with the United Nation Environment programme. 88 attendees joined the event.
The panel was compose of industry proficient from persons school of Design in New-York, the UK- base charity Ellen Arthur Foundation and the creative minds behinds, Orange Culture, Mariana Fashion Production and Qaaldesign.
"My dream is to develop a healthy fashion industry in African. We need to be able to rely and build ourselves from our own system. At the end of the day, we have so much that needs to be done and we can't do it alone, " Orange culture Adebayo Okelawal,said.
“Corona virus forced our world to rethink our system. We can absolutely do this in an excellent way. It’s a question of interconnection and understandable. My waste could be someone else’s resources. What is needed is collaboration and breaking down the typical silos Fashionpreneurs face in the industry”, said Brendan McCarthy of the person school of Design.
The goal of the Bank’s Fashionomic African platforms is to enable African enterpreneurs operation in the textile, and Apparel to grow their business, with a focus on women and youth.
Story by: Anita