MILAN — The Prada Group and UNFPA are partnering once again.
Ahead of International Women’s Day, the Italian fashion group and the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA), are expanding their fashion training program to Mexico after a first initiative was unveiled in 2022 in Ghana and Kenya.
The program, “Fashion Expressions: The Stories She Wears,” was conceived to foster social change through fashion as a catalyst to promote women’s empowerment and sexual reproductive health. It involves 30 women artisans in the Querétaro state, from Indigenous and surrounding communities. They are experienced in weaving and embroidery and through the project will be able to strengthen their technical, artistic and financial skills.
The initiative in Mexico was initiated in September 2023 with a select group of mothers, between ages 18 and 50, and was revealed on Monday.
Prior to joining the program, the artisans selected were working independently, operating in small workshops from their homes, usually with their children. They earn an income by selling their crafts at local markets in Querétaro.
Similarly, two years ago, in an effort to use fashion for purpose over just profit, the Prada Group linked with UNFPA to upskill a cohort of women and girls in fashion skills that would ultimately lead them to fashion jobs. The initiative successfully equipped 43 participants in Ghana and Kenya with knowledge and practical skills relevant for the fashion industry and facilitated industrial attachments and employment opportunities for the trainees with local fashion houses.
“Through this partnership with UNFPA, we have witnessed how fashion combined with education can become a powerful instrument of change and empowerment, complemented by the participants’ natural and effortless skills,” said Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group head of corporate social responsibility. “Our goal is to empower and instill hope for a brighter future to all involved as we continue our mission of building a more inclusive society.”
Through a six-month series of training sessions and workshops, this project in Mexico will provide women with technical skills and resources that will not only equip them with knowledge but also empower them to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, as well as help showcase their unique cultural heritage, stated Prada. The training will be followed by an opportunity for industrial attachments under the leadership and guidance of experienced fashion professionals.
The program, in collaboration with local implementing partner Nest, a nonprofit organization working to advance gender equity and economic inclusion of artisans, will equip participants with business development skills and financial literacy through budgeting, sales and merchandising, to further support and foster economic independence. The participants will have the opportunity to tap into Nest’s library of business development resources that will help them establish handicraft businesses within their communities.
“This evolution underscores our commitment to continue championing diversity, equity and inclusion within the fashion industry,” said Malika Savell Cruz, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Prada Group, The Americas. “Initiatives like these empower the next generation of creatives while promoting cultural dialogue, understanding and nurturing a more inclusive global community.”
Mariarosa Cutillo, chief of strategic partnerships at UNFPA, said “the beauty” of the partnership is “that it places creativity at the center of building inclusive communities for women and girls. We have seen the impact of this model in Africa, using fashion to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and women’s economic empowerment, and are excited to see the results it can have for the women artisans from Querétaro, Mexico.”
