At Milan Fashion Week, ITC’s Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) presented The Cotton Road at the iconic 10 Corso Como concept store. The exhibition celebrated West African cotton, tracing its journey from field to fabric to fashion.
Photo by ITC/Alice Cairo
Scenographed by Ghanaian creative director Richmond Orlando Mensah, the showcase featured work by their social enterprise partner CABES — from seeds and natural dye materials to fabrics, bags, and shoes — alongside an African Vanguard display of visionary looks by designers from across the EFI creative orbit.
The designers were selected by EFI to create a unique look – a collaboration rooted in local materials and made using traditional methods such as hand weaving, hand-embroidery, beadwork and plant-based dyeing.
To create those exclusive looks, each designer received sourcing and production support from the Ethical Fashion Initiative – collaborating with its social enterprise partners (CABES, Studio 4, and Koyibaton) as well as other artisanal producers in West Africa.
Featured Designers:
- Sean Nobayo, Benin
- Gaïnga, Burkina Faso
- Olooh, Côte d’Ivoire
- Numu D, Mali
- Feelinger, Chad
To bring the story to life, artisans Alice Dotti and Christine Mintri led live weaving demonstrations, offering a rare glimpse into the artistry and technique behind spinning and weaving.
EFI also held a roundtable conversation amplifying the voices of designers, thinkers, and leaders shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future in design and fashion – Beyond the Runway: Building Global Pathways for African Creatives.
Featured speakers include leading designers and creative entrepreneurs from Africa as well as creators from the United States and Europe, offering perspectives that span communities and continents.
Moderated by Teneshia Carr (Blanc Magazine), the panel included:
- Damien Ajavon – Afropean textile artist bridging African craft with diasporic narratives
- Edward Buchanan – Milan-based designer and founder of Sansovino 6
- Michelle Francine Ngonmo – Cultural entrepreneur, DEI champion, and founder of Afro Fashion Association and the Black Carpet Awards
- Richmond Orlando Mensah – Consultant, Creative Director, Founder MANJU Journal
This event is produced with the financial support of the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and the Pacific States (OACPS) under the ACP – Business Friendly Programme.