Following in the steps of Vivienne Westwood and Sass & Bide, Kiwi designer Karen Walker has collaborated with the United Nation’s International Trade Centre’s Ethical Fashion Initiative for her Spring 14 eye-wear collection.
With the motto NOT CHARITY, JUST WORK, the initiative aims to create sustainable business and encourage dependancy for micro-artisans within communities from some of the disadvantaged rural areas of Kenya. Each pair of sunglasses purchased comes with a screen-printed pouch, made by the Kenyan artisans from locally sourced materials. More elaborate, beaded styles are also available to buy separately. Several of those involved also starred in the beautiful campaign shots, photographed by Derek Henderson.
This is an amazing UN initiative, of which I don't know the precise details or stages of production. However, what would be even more encouraging would be to see designers maintaining these ethical connections in future collections, rather than just in one off collaborations.
I’ve been keeping an eye out for a pair of round glasses, so my favourite from the collection has to be the Joyous in Gold Glitter, seen here on Winnifred. The collection is available to buy as of February 3rd.
Images via iiikanji and Karen Walker
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