FAB Fashion: Diesel + Edun – A Denim Collection Born in Africa

Arguably the most talked about collaboration since its announcement in November at the International Herald Tribune conference on Africa’s Promise & Luxury in Rome, Italy. The Diesel + Edun Collaboration is now LIVE with an online exclusive for a few days, and in stores March 1st.

This, brings the marking of the launch of a collaboration that goes beyond fashion: DlESEL+EDUN present a 25-piece denim collection inspired by African creativity and co-designed by Diesel+EDUN using raw, untreated denim, it is entirely sourced and manufactured in Africa with the finest CCI cotton from Uganda. Special features include Malian textile prints in the lining and embroidery details that reference traditional Zulu weaving patterns.

In January 2012, EDUN founders Ali Hewson and Bono and Diesel founder Renzo Rosso travelled to East and West Africa to share their love of Africa and tour each other’s programs: Diesel’s Only The Brave Foundation project in Dioro, Mali and EDUN’s Conservation Cotton Initiative (CCI) in Uganda. The experience encouraged them to join forces to further apparel trade and development in Africa and thus Diesel+EDUN was born.

To bring the spirit of the collection to life, DIESEL+EDUN developed the concept of Studio Africa – a virtual loudspeaker for a new generation of creative talents from across the continent. The campaign features nine artists in fashion, film, music, literature, and photography; individuals with both talent and a deep commitment to their respective countries and people.

Abdellah:

The first openly gay Moroccan writer and his celebrated books have been translated into several languages.

Baloji:

A fiercely original and acclaimed rapper and producer born in DR Congo and raised in Belgium.

Flaviana Matata:

An international catwalk model who runs a foundation for the education of orphaned girls in her home country of Tanzania.

I See a Different You:

I See A Different You are a trio of photographers from Soweto, South Africa with an eye for style and ambition to show their continent in a whole new light.

Laurence Chauvin-Buthaud:

A rising menswear designer providing local workers in her birthplace of Côte d’Ivoire with skills and training.

Sy Alassane:

An actor and model from Senegal who played the lead in 2011’s Sundance Film Festival official selection Restless City.

Tanya Mushayi:

A talented surface pattern designer, stylist and blogger running her own business in Zimbabwe.

Uviwe Mangweni:

An endlessly curious photojournalist and copywriter from South Africa documenting hidden stories with sensitivity.

Yannick Ilunga:

Petite Noir is the recording name of South Africa’s Yannick Ilunga who is championing a new musical movement.

A denim collection born in Africa and worn by a new generation of creative talents. Inspired by African creativity, the collection is manufactured in Africa with the finest CCI cotton from Uganda.

At its heart, the Diesel+EDUN collaboration is about trade not aid. By sourcing CCI cotton from Uganda and entirely manufacturing the collection in Africa, Diesel+EDUN are bringing business to the continent and highlighting to the fashion world the possibility for sustainable trade and creative opportunity in Africa.

You can shop for the collection on Outside of Africa, HERE