The Ethical Fashion Initiative’s inspiring founder, Simone Cipriani is truly one-of-a-kind. The EFI is working towards a goal of building a responsible fashion industry...and Simone's passion, commitment and resilience is at the core of that mission.

Left: Our Constella Pouch and Tote, Right: Simone and an EFI artisan

Tell us about the birth of the idea to start the Ethical Fashion Initiative?

The Ethical Fashion Initiative began in Kenya in 2009. At the time, I was living in Ethiopia but I would travel to Kenya each weekend to spend time with a friend, Gino Filipini, who was a lay missioner working in the slum of Korogocho – one of the largest in Nairobi. Gino had dedicated his life to creating work to improve the livelihoods for the poorest of the poor and he asked me to get involved on a voluntary basis.

I soon became involved in setting up a cooperative of shoemakers in Korogocho and I was so impressed by the capacities and resilience of those involved. I then approached the ITC with a proposal for a project based on a similar model (artisan groups) but focusing on creating partnerships with large international brands: companies that could command big orders and truly engage a large number of people. Since then, we have gradually expanded, involving more and more brands and exploring into other countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana and Haiti.

You recently visited Australia to share the impact MIMCO’s partnership with the EFI has had on the artisans involved. What do you consider to be the most important outcome of the work that the EFI facilities?

First of all, one of the most important outcome of our work is that we provide dignity and a better life for a large number of female artisans and their respective families. But I would like to add that the development of social capital (i.e. the capacity to work together for a common objective) in their communities is also a key factor of stability and peace – something not to be disregarded.

EFI artisans crafted our latest collection in Kenya

How do you measure the positive impact of the EFI work? 

Measuring our impact has always been core to our work at the Ethical Fashion Initiative; we’ve focused on developing a tool to measure the impact we had since the very beginning. This is how we monitor the results of our work and make changes where needed and keeps us on track with our goals.

When we begin working with a community we do an impact assessment developed with anthropologists, social workers and labour experts that enables us to assess the current lives and working conditions of the artisans we work with. After every fashion order is completed we then re-assess the situation, comparing it to the baseline. For each order we create a report which we then deliver to our partners. It is so incredible to see each order reveal a positive change.

You see poverty & struggle in the world, contrasting against such wealth in other areas, how do you remain positive & focused on your mission?

What keeps me going is the fight for justice and the positive change our work brings about. Fighting for justice is always worthwhile. Seeing complete change in the lives of people we work with is motivational and inspiring. Through work, artisans are able to take control of their lives and change them for the better. This result is priceless.

YMIMCO currently partners with artisans in Kenya and surrounding areas, as well as in Haiti, with the hope to move to new places in the future. How do you go about creating the “ hubs” in these remote communities?

We start with a small group of artisans who are available to work together. The best among them become leaders and start collaborating with a local consultant who has experience in management. Usually we create a social enterprise out of this, which is the starting point for a hub.