Join the Speak Volumes campaign, one of the ways we can all support the rise of Western brands being held accountable for textile waste through policy, campaigning, plus individual and collective action.

In 2008 Rwanda instituted a ban on the sale, manufacture, import and general use of plastic bags. Rwanda’s government successfully got public buy-in of these measures through the introduction of ‘Umuganda’ (meaning ‘community work with the purpose to contribute to the overall national development’) whereby residents of each community across the country clean up their neighbourhoods on the last Saturday of every month.

Today, Boyedoe travels the world, from Lagos to Paris to Geneva. It appeals to fashion veterans and everyday fashion enthusiasts alike. Across his four collections, David and his team play with Kente. To him, it’s a question of legacy and longevity. 

Kwamena and Yayra founded The Revival, an Accra-based, community-led non-profit. Their goal is to educate and raise awareness on the impact of fast fashion while creating jobs through championing upcycling with textile waste coming into Ghana from the Global North. If you have been in the sustainable fashion space for a while, you would have heard of Waste Colonialism.

This year marks a decade since Toluwani Oyefuga began crafting a community of minimalist design lovers and advocates for timeless fashion with her brand, Wanni Fuga.

Originating from the town of Iseyin in Oyo State, Nigeria, Aso-Oke is more than just a textile – it is a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of generations past.

The other day the owner of a clothing store asked us if we could help them curate a clothes swap event as it is something they have been considering for a while. It’s starting to look like people’s superstitions and religious beliefs are slowly losing their grip on sustainable fashion lifestyle options. 

This got me thinking about the slow but steady rise of sustainability in fashion within the city of Accra.

Meeting Renée C. Neblett was like meeting a wise and respected village Auntie who draws you in to sit and listen to stories. When I heard about the Kokrobritey Institute in Ghana, I knew I had to visit and talk to its creator in person. So I did. I was immediately captivated by the place. Kokrobritey is about an hour West of Ghana’s capital city of Accra. It’s a popular outside-of-the-city beach destination which sparked Renée, the founder of the Institute’s passion back in the 80’s.

From my earliest memories to my high school days, the sound of bell-like clasps, sometimes accompanied by the melodious cry "Oye Adie Yie," felt almost like a divine call, especially on days when my clothes needed mending or altering.