Beat of Africa 2015: Biffi Boutique x ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative for VFNO & MFW

The Beat of Africa hit Milan fashion week for the third time as Biffi Boutique and ITC Ethical

Fashion Initiative collaborate to bring African fashion talent to the Italian fashion capital. The

weeklong designer showcase launched for Vogue Fashion’s Night Out on Tuesday 22nd September 2015.

The Milanese boutique located in Corso Genova displayed the Spring/Summer 2016 womenswear

looks of four designers selected by the Ethical Fashion Initiative: MaXhosa by Laduma (South

Africa), Mimi Plange (US-Ghana), Sindiso Khumalo (South Africa) and Sophie Zinga (Senegal).

MaXhosa by Laduma also showed some menswear looks. Each designer developed a special

limited edition fashion item to be sold at the event. All proceeds from those items was be donated to a

project selected by Vogue for 2015: Istituto Monzino’s cardiovascular diseases research.

UK-Ivorian label, Dent de Man also showcased leather bags from their Spring/Summer 2016

collection at Biffi Boutiques. The bags were made in partnership with the Ethical Fashion Initiative.

In addition to their showcase in Biffi Boutique, the designers had the opportunity to sell their

collection for the first time in Milan through the Spazio Genova showroom, a few steps away from Biffi

Boutique. This gave the brands the possibility to gain wider exposure to grow their business and

expand their stockist list.

Biffi Boutique is one of Milan’s legendary fashion stores, owned by Rosy Biffi. Research, innovation,

dedication are the three pillars on which the style and success of the Biffi boutiques have been

constructed. The instinct of Rosy Biffi and her flare of discovering emerging designers and presenting

new stylistic proposals make the boutique the ideal partner for the Ethical Fashion Initiative.

The Ethical Fashion Initiative is a flagship programme of the International Trade Centre, a joint

agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.The Ethical Fashion Initiative works

with the rising generation of fashion talent from Africa, encouraging the forging of fulfilling creative

collaborations with artisans on the continent. The Ethical Fashion Initiative also enables artisans

living in urban and rural poverty to connect with the global fashion chain. Under its slogan, “NOT

CHARITY, JUST WORK.” the Ethical Fashion Initiative advocates a fairer global fashion industry.

Sindiso Khumalo

Based between London and Cape Town, Sindiso Khumalo launched her eponymous label after being

a finalist in the Elle New Talent competition. The strong and complex graphic prints used by Sindiso

have become the signature of her collections. With a background in textile design, the designer has

developed her label with a focus on modern sustainable textiles and works with several NGO’s in

South Africa to develop sustainable textiles. In 2013, Sindiso Khumalo was nominated for the “Most

Beautiful Object in South Africa” Award by the Design Indaba. Her work has been showcased at the

Royal Festival Hall in London and the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in Washington. Sindiso

studied architecture at the University of Cape Town and Design for Textile Futures at Central St

Martins.

Mimi Plange

Mimi Plange is a modern womenswear brand launched in 2010 by American-Ghanaian designer,

Mimi Plange. Lost African civilizations inspire the Mimi Plange clothing and gives the collection a

depth of meaning. High quality craftsmanship is reflected in each Mimi Plange piece and the brand

prides itself on making well-constructed and fitted clothing. The Mimi Plange woman moves in

international circles and is successful, cultured and conscientious. Mimi Plange says “I design clothes

for a woman who wears what suits her. She has nothing to prove.” Mimi Plange’s designs have

gained the seal of approval from American first-lady Michelle Obama, pop-queen Rihanna and tennis

star, Serena Williams.

MaXhosa by Laduma

MaXhosa by Laduma is a South African knitwear brand founded in 2010 by Laduma Ngxokolo. The

South African Xhosa manhood initiation ritual practiced by amakrwala was behind the launch of the

brand as Laduma sought to create Xhosa-inspired modern knitwear that would be suitable for this

tradition. Since, the Xhosa aesthetic has come to be part of the DNA of the knitwear brand as

Laduma has explored and reinterpreted traditional Xhosa beadwork, patterns, symbolism and colours

to inspire his modern knitwear line. Through his work, Laduma is an agent of change, shifting and

evolving with the changing times and further engaging in the dialogue that keeps pushing traditional

culture toward the future.

Sophie Zinga

As an avid art enthusiast, Senegalese born Sophie Nzinga Sy pursued her creative talent at Parsons

School of Design. This led Sophie to set up her own brand: Sophie Zinga. Her brand is strongly

influenced by her travels and the fusion of multiple cultures – specifically Sophie’s African roots and

her New York City education and entrepreneurial mindset. Quality is a keystone of the Sophie Zinga

brand, which uses the finest materials and fabrics (silk, satin, bazin, semi-precious stones etc.)

Sophie’s design philosophy is to give the modern woman the key pieces to constantly re-invent her

style while exuding confidence whether she is in a board meeting, attending a gala or traveling

between New York and Lagos. The Sophie Zinga woman is socially conscious, well-travelled and is

part of today’s cosmopolitan world.

Filmmaker Esther Loewe and I