The program was a mix of international sustainability experts and local fashion professionals. We were thrilled to connect the different experiences, focus points and ways of working with fashion and ethical approaches. Our schedule was meant to start conversations and offer new insights.
Dorothee Sarah Spehar is one of a few sustainability consultants who understand the DNA of a product from the source to the concept store.
Her work as a supply chain compliance expert, provided her with the technical knowledge to now create fact-based concepts and stories around brands. Her project DS AGENCY focuses on global sustainability perspectives and honest brand building.
DS travels the world and loves to work with artisan groups, contemporary brands and engaging events. Instagram Linkedin
Tara St James has worked in the fashion industry for over 20 years. In addition to founding her own sustainable brand, she has consulted for both small and large brands and has a broad understanding of sustainable design and supply chain. Tara also teaches a sustainable material sourcing course at the Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2021 Tara joined the team at Another Tomorrow as VP of Sustainability, Supply Chain and Culture. Instagram Linkedin
Kavita Parmar is a designer who considers herself an activist and uses design as a tool to express her point of view on the current state of the fashion system. The IOU Project stands out as a platform dedicated to giving a voice to over 250 weavers from the 200,000 members of one of the oldest weaving cooperatives in Southern India, using the latest technological tools. XANT is a global community dedicated to the continuation of heritage craft know how. She teaches at several universities and is a renowned speaker. Instagram Linkedin
Dr. Pam Samasuwo-Nyawiri is a multi-award-winning accessories designer, educator, and author, with her own label called Vanhu Vamwe. Her experiences of working with artisans and feeling personally part of the problem of exploiting vulnerable communities led Pam to study a PhD where she could explore the impact designers working with artisans have on their lives and how to make the process better by bringing true, sustainable value to these communities. Instagram Linkedin
Alexia Tronel is the co-founder of ITINÉRANCE and a sustainability expert.
In 2014, she co-created Atelier Bartavelle: a sustainable brand of clothes and creative studio. In 2018, she launched ITINÉRANCE building a community of artisans and changemakers in the Mediterranean. It brings back craftmanship into the production of ready-to-wear brands.
Alexia is also a sustainability strategist and supports brands in their CSR repositioning. Instagram Linkedin
Celine Aweidah is a BA graduate of business, communications, and marketing who is currently earning an MA in international development. She has experience in entrepreneurship, participated in multiple startups, and is building a career in sustainable production consultancy. She is a firm believer in social innovation being a key aspect in improving the Palestinian market, where much potential is being lost by the lack of resources and tools available for growth. This is why Celine has made it her ultimate goal to provide any insight and opportunities to anyone who did not have the chances she has had in life. Instagram Linkedin
Yasmeen Mjalli is the creative director of Nöl Collective, an intersectional fashion collective which works with family-run sewing workshops, artisans, and women’s cooperatives to produce apparel in Palestine, incorporating traditional weaving, embroidery, and natural dyeing. Nöl strives to highlight the intersections of feminism, Palestinian culture, ethical fashion, and social justice within a larger political and historical framework--all through the lens of fashion. The rest of the time, she’s waiting for or making the most of mango season. Instagram
Hilweh market is a local artisanal boutique concept store featuring handmade housewares, textiles, and other curated contemporary items from Palestine and the Arab world. Adrieh Abou Shehadeh conducted research for several socially oriented organizations, and succeeded Safa Kassas Younes as director of the Arous Elbahr organization in Jaffa as she holds a master’s degrees in the social sciences. Instagram
Darzah is an empowering initiative, launched by professor and humanitarian Georgette Habashi in 2008, that aims to better the lives of marginalized women in Palestine while preserving tatreez, an age-old embroidery technique passed down from generation to generation. Georgette Habashi has been with Child’s Cup (the initiative's main company) since 2015 and will represent the brand at the event. Instagram
Meera AlBaba would very simply consider herself an explorer. Impressively working in fashion, she enjoys experimenting in her own field as an opportunity to grow as a creative and delve into new approaches of expression. Meera Adnan is a Palestinian contemporary RTW label from Gaza City. "Our work focuses on reclaiming narrative and is influenced by religious, political, and local references that create a romantic and nostalgic visual monologue". Instagram
Maria Abboud is an up-and-coming entrepreneur who is offering an exciting glimpse into the future of retail in Palestine and the MENA region. Her startup, Sholabis, offers an online marketplace for its community to buy, sell, and donate their clothing. By making every user a potential seller, this startup opens up a world of shopping beyond the traditional retail environment. Sholabis offers real-world solutions to problems that affect our societies. Instagram
Najla Abdellatif Vallander holds a university degree in Business and Economics from Lund University and currently working within the sector of sustainability in business. She is a Palestinian environmental activist who is striving to empower others to take ownership of moving towards a more sustainable life. Through her blog Zero Waste Palestine, Najla sheds light on environmental-related issues and promotes sustainable and waste-free practices for Palestinian and Middle Eastern households. Instagram Linkedin
MQAAAR is a Palestinian owned and based brand that was founded in July 2022 by Mahmoud Hassouneh. The main goal of the brand is to celebrate and strengthen communities everywhere around the world, starting off from Palestine. The brand is envisioned to provide different lines of service with Fashion being the first line. "We are set to launch our first collection, "Faith", towards the end of November.
The name of the brand describes the brand's identity and values. The name is an acronym made of 6 words in Arabic.
Leire Fernandez has opened the first sustainable fashion brand in Cuba: Clandestina 99. During her work she faces challenges building an independent brand in Cuba, exporting and opening international retail shops. Instagram
