Fashion is always looking for new ideas to surprise and new creative processes, but when these goals come together to material recycling and environmental protection, the result further capture the attention. E 'in this light ecologist who moved two international brands, as Altromercato, who has created and presented his collection of clothing for Spring / Summer 2010, and Carmina Campus, a brand of high fashion by Ilaria Venturini Fendi, that opportunity to rise to a project involving African communities.

Altromercato, the foremost organization dedicated to the Fairtrade market, has proposed the new collection of clothing and jewelry made by artisans from various parts of the world, but this time it has focused its work on traditional ways of working and use of recycled materials, making the 'offering also environmentally sustainable, respecting the environment and fair compensation for producers. It happens so find bags made from bits salvaged from automobiles, such as seat covers, sun shield or safety belts, bracelets and earrings made from glass, wood and recycled ceramic, or necklaces which breathe new life into the keys and dials of watches that had lost its usefulness.

Federica Sellarione, coordinator of the business and "Nothing Too Pangea", a cooperative that is part of the entourage of Altromercato in Rome, said as the initiative that involves fashion: "For years Altromercato deals with manufacturers to develop southern world products that can go well with Western markets. In particular, last year we started to design a collection of clothing and accessories made with recycled fabrics, made from the saree, the traditional dress of Indian women. These products are accessible to a broad target, demonstrating that it is not true that the Fair coast. This is demonstrated by the fact that a dress made entirely by hand and by hand costs only 40 euros while respecting all human conditions, work and dignity of the people of the South.'' With regard to the creative possibilities that this business allows, Federica Sellarione added: "In this way the local craftsmen can develop a culture and education that the traditional trade does not, as it tends to exploit their workforce ' '.

However Altromercato is not the only organization that deals with the preservation of traditions through the environment: the issue is being addressed by Ilaria Venturini Fendi. The designer has in fact resulted in Carmina Campus, a brand that has made of recycled their mission and with which, these days, announced the completion of a workshop of research and study on the possible recycling of materials, which will take place between Italy and Africa. The project saw the collaboration of ITC, International Trade Center, the agency of the WTO and the UN for the business growth in developing countries, and involve various marginalized communities located in rural areas of Kenya and Uganda. The aim is to encourage the creation of small cooperatives through the creation of products which then enter the circuit of the international market.

Rural communities will therefore be able to acquire the necessary knowledge on recycling and production in order to give birth to new creative products. In the coming days the stylist Ilaria Venturini Fendi will visit a number of landfills and two African nations involved to identify possible material for recycling, then giving way to the project since March. Simone Cipriani, Chief Technical Advisor of the program Fashion Ethic of ITC, said about the draft Carmina Campus: "Through this collaboration we want to give value to the work of these communities, offering a means to get out of poverty. E Carmina Campus is the first brand of high fashion that is it for a discussion of recycling and reuse with the most marginalized communities of the planet. "

Each product developed will be unique, and its history will be recorded in a handwritten tag that will accompany the artifact. Then you can know not only the origin of the materials, but also the hours of labor required from planning to implementation. Part of the proceeds from the sale will be used in some non-governmental organizations, chosen from among those dealing with environmental protection and development of women in Africa.

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