VLISCO has committed to spending €7.3
million in the next five years on initiatives that will add value to textiles
and expansion of production in Africa.
“We
have materialised this commitment via 15 Environmental, Social and Governance
(ESG) initiatives built under seven of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) which are: quality education, reduce inequality, responsible consumption
and production, gender equality, decent work, economic growth, climate action,
peace, justice and strong institutions.
“About
€7.3 million is being committed towards these 15 initiatives for the next five
years across all African countries. This is an increased expenditure towards
our social commitments,”the Managing Director of Texstyles Ghana Limited,
Fatoumata Doro, said.
Ms Doro who made this known at the
2022 Vlisco Fashion Fund Awards Night held in Accra on Wednesday said for over
170 years, the group, Vlisco, had positioned itself as a benchmark for fashion
and luxury in Africa.
“Well
established in the west and the center of the African continent with its four
brands, Vlisco, Uniwax, Woodin and GTP, the company has an ESG (Environmental,
Social and Governance) commitment which is “Doing the best we can with the
people of Africa.
Through
this commitment, Vlisco Group is choosing to collaborate with its African
ecosystem to create win-win relationships, sustainably,” she said.
Empowering tailors
The
Brand Marketing Manager of Vlisco in Ghana, Deborah Sowah, said fashion
designers and tailors played an important role the ecosystem such that any time
customers buy Vlisco prints, the next process was finding a suitable fashion
designer or tailor to create them a wonderful look.
“We
find it a necessary part of our business to empower talented fashion designers
and tailors who need training in business management, exposure, and funding
from a brand like Vlisco with expert knowledge in the field of fashion,” she
said.
She
said this year’s Vlisco Fashion Fund received over 407 applications in Ghana,
adding that a meticulous review process of the applications took place,
followed by sewing tests and interviews conducted by a trio jury.
Winners
The overall winner, Deladem Midekor,
will receive a €5,000 investment in her business and a two-week Master Couture
training in the Netherlands.
She
emerged winner after a series of processes, including a physical test,
interviews and the creation of five distinct collections showcased during a
fashion show.
The
first runner-up gets an investment funding of €3,000 while the second runner-up
gets an investment funding worth €2,000.
Source:Graphic Online