Spotlight on Sourcing: Africa Seminar

Fashion products and supply create a life changing opportunity for many of the poorest communities in Africa. This seminar, organised by the Ethical Fashion Forum, focuses on the specific challenges and opportunities related to sourcing for fashion products from a range of locations in Africa. Through case studies, the event will give an insight into how different sourcing models, products and businesses have maximised benefits to communities and minimised environmental impact.

The panel includes:

• Cristina Cisilino, Founder of MADE jewellery (Made in Africa and sold through some of the UK's largest retailers)
• Rohit Kuthiala, Senior Consultant- supply chain at Accenture, working with some of the worlds largest fashion chains
• Jo Maiden, Founder and managing director of SOKO (Fair trade and eco garment production unit, employing slum dwellers in Kenya)
• Claire Hamer, former buyer at Topshop, supply chain consultant, and social entrepreneur - Claire succeeded in integrating sourcing from Africa at the heart of her role as a buyer

• Eric Manu, founder of clothes show live, Ghana

• Colin McDowell (Chair)

Alongside the seminar, there will be a marketplace featuring suppliers, leading brands and support organisations working with and from Africa.

Master Class on "Producing Overseas: Assessing & Improving Working Conditions" There will also be a Master Class at 2.00pm taking an in-depth look at the way your business can assess and improve working conditions if producing fashion products overseas:

Julia Hawkins, Ethical Trading Initiative will be providing case studies of retailers and brands who have improved working conditions through assessments. The ETI will demonstrate how they have provided support when retailers/ brands try to improve working conditions, for example helping them understand the country, where the factory is based, culture and regulations in order for the retailer to ‘pick their battle’ and successfully improve conditions.

Alex Smith and Clare Lissaman: Alex Smith has worked as a buyer for 19 years, most recently as New Product Buying Manager for Oxfam’s sustainable fashion boutiques. Alex now offers project management on ethical strategies in the supply chain. Clare Lissaman is a consultant on labour standards in global supply chains. Clients include Adili.com, Gap Inc, Bureau Veritas, the Fairtrade Foundation, Traidcraft and 21st Century Leaders. Alex and Clare will be discussing:

• How to decide which country is most suitable for you
• How important it is to have background knowledge of a country
• How to inspect this factory dependent on resources
• How to start to improve factory conditions

To register for the event or Masterclass, click here.

The Ethical Fashion Forum’s latest event series is part of Fashion +, a DFID funded project aimed at reducing poverty and creating sustainable livelihoods in supply chains to the UK fashion industry.

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