Fashion Expressions: The Stories She Wears is a program that offers training and reproductive education.
When we think of designers and the fashion industry, big names that offer innovative artistry and fantasy fulfillment. But for many around the world, creating clothing is not just a means of expression but a way of providing for their families. With that in mind, in 2022 Prada Group along with the UNFPA, the United Nations Populations Fund, a sexual and reproductive health agency, founded Fashion Expressions: The Stories She Wears. The program was designed to support female artisans by providing mentorship and training in the fashion industry as well as education on family planning. After a successful start in Ghana and Kenya, where they worked with 43 participants, the third installment focused on Mexico, namely embroiderers and weavers who lived in the state of Querétaro. Last week, their six month immersive experience came to a celebratory close courtesy of a panel discussion, exhibition showcase, and cocktail in Mexico City.
30 artisans between the ages of 18 and 50 were selected to participate, all members of the Indigenous and surrounding communities. As mothers who worked in their small family-run workshops, often with the help of their children, a major source of income came from selling these creations at local markets. Prada Group along with UNFPA aimed to strengthen not just their technical and artistic abilities but offered guidance in developing financial literacy as well. For six months they were offered training sessions and workshops along with mentorship with experienced fashion professionals. In tandem with these initiatives, Emilienne Limón of Nest, a nonprofit organization that aims to foster gender equality and economic inclusion of artisans, offered courses on business development.
The result? Fortaleza, a collection that highlighted the rebellion and power of each woman selected. Working in tandem with Galo Bertin, a designer, they were guided on sewing, pattern making, assembly, weaving, drawing, among other schools. Artisans were encouraged to combine modern techniques with traditional handicraft, resulting in 20 looks that combined typical embroideries with gala dresses, ruffled skirts, and more. These looks were then honored last week in Mexico City. The evening kicked off with a panel discussion moderated by Farah Slim, Head of Editorial Content of Glamour México y Latinoamérica and featured Mariarosa Cutillo, Chief of Strategic Partnerships of UNFPA, Bertin, and Limón. Joining them were Adriana Barrón, an artisan from San Juan del Río, Querétaro and Estela Porfirio an artisan from Amealco, Querétaro. Titled Doing Great Things Together!, it spotlight the program’s learnings as well as its impact on the fashion industry. Cutillo said via press release, “The essence of this partnership with the Prada Group was to leverage the power of fashion to empower women from vulnerable communities, provide them with practical skills in fashion design and business, and information on their sexual and reproductive health and rights. The result is that they’re able to sustain themselves and their families, their confidence is enhanced and they walk away with a greater sense of agency.”
