BAGS FOR AFRICA is a charity initiative formed by the national chamber of Italian fashion, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, and promoted by COOPI, an Italian NGO. BAGS FOR AFRICA supports development projects that champion women’s rights and the empowerment of local communities in Africa.
In support of the third edition of the BAGS FOR AFRICA auction, we had the great honour of collaborating with the prestigious Salvatore Ferragamo brand (and its creative director Massimiliano Giornetti), to create a special limited edition of the iconic Sofia bag. Only 6 pieces were made and proceeds from sales are going to help fund a project entitled “D as in development: the future of Africa is Woman”, designed to promote property and education rights for women in Sierra Leone.
- An initial sketch and cutting the beadwork patterns
- Cutting the patterns for the beadwork
- Testing the Beadwork
- Final beading
Extra off-cuts of the leather were sent from Italy. Our beaders were awestruck when the DHL package arrived – they had never seen such beautiful and extremely soft leather! They were initially apprehensive about touching it and they practiced for a week on the off-cuts to get used to working on such soft material.
The final designs:
This has to be one of our most exciting collaborations yet! Most importantly, we must thank Vogue Italia editor, Franca Sozzani, for the introduction that made all of this possible.
Check out some of the other BAGS FOR AFRICA on the Vogue Italia or COOPI site.
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