June 2009

Oh New York, how we love you so…instead of writing an ode to The Big Apple, we just like to introduce you to all the great people we meet as we meander through the Darling world. We had the pleasure of both sponsoring a recent Girls in Tech event as well as meeting Erik Lautier of Edun, who then generously donated gift cards to our PRCouture/Nolcha soiree – thanks Erik! Indie designers, if you are on the hunt for an ethical t-shirt supplier, read on and get to know all about the company below.

Darlings: What is EDUN/EDUN LIVE and how to did the brand come to be?
EDUN: EDUN is a socially conscious clothing company launched in Spring 2005 by Ali Hewson and Bono. EDUN’s primary goals are to create beautiful clothes using ethical conditions and to help create long-term sustainable employment in the developing world, particularly sub-Saharan Africa.

EDUN is a for-profit business – founded on the premise of Trade FOR Aid as a means of building sustainable communities. The company works on a micro-level to help build the skill sets of the people involved in making clothing.  In addition, EDUN also continues to explore partnership opportunities at a macro-level to improve working conditions and build sustainable communities where it produces.

In 2007 EDUN launched the EDUN LIVE brand. The mission of EDUN LIVE is to help foster trade and increase long-term sustainable employment in Africa through high-volume sales of blank t-shirts. From the fields where the cotton is grown, to the spinning, knitting and finally the garment making, all EDUN LIVE products are 100% Made in Africa. As EDUN LIVE matures, it aims to grow its social commitment to these areas and local factory communities. With business from its customers, EDUN LIVE will continue to work with farmers and factories to improve conditions in areas of need.

Darlings: How is EDUN supporting sustainable socioeconomic development in Africa?
EDUN: Not only do EDUN and EDUN LIVE support its factories with business, the brands also support the local communities with social issues. For example, we funded the construction of a well at a local school in a community neighboring a factory. The well was built in June 2006, and children now no longer have to rely on rainwater collected in a barrel from the roof of their school. Additionally, via the ALAFA program, we educate the local factory workers on HIV/AIDS, as currently over 30% of the population is infected with the disease and have raised over $600k for the cause. The brands are also helping to raise funds to help train cotton farmers to transition from conventional (with pesticides) to organic farming via the Conservation Cotton Initiative in association with the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Darlings: What organizations are using EDUN LIVE T-shirts, and do you have any current projects running with partnering organizations?
EDUN: A broad spectrum of organizations — corporations, non-profits, schools, retailers, bands, etc. — have purchased our tees because of their high quality and the brand’s strong mission.
For example, the Signature Series t-shirt is sold in Hard Rock Cafe globally. These tees feature a design by Bono, and 15% of the gross proceeds of every tee sold go back to our Conservation Cotton Initiative fund. This fund (set up with the Wildlife Conservation Society) helps farmers learn organic cotton farming in Africa while preserving the natural landscape.  We also have an upcoming project with www.yoox.com. Supermodel Angela Lindvall has done an exclusive design on EDUN LIVE tees which will be sold on YOOX beginning June 30th, with all proceeds going back to Green Cross International.

Darlings: What is AFRICASH, and can any blogger get involved?
EDUN: AFRICASH is EDUN LIVE’s referral program; you can earn points towards free t-shirts for doing something as simple as sending a friend of yours our way.  There has always been a very strong and loyal community online supporting EDUN LIVE, and we wanted to recognize it and reward it.  Not only can any blogger get involved, you can even get involved by mentioning us in an email to a friend, posting about us on your Facebook status, or even Tweeting about us (@edunlive is our account!).  For more information, simply go to www.edun-live.com.

Darlings: Does EDUN hope to be a major supplier of sustainable piece goods for the fashion industry, or will all the sustainable fabric EDUN produces be kept in house?
EDUN: EDUN does not have plans to become a supplier to the industry.  We will continue to produce ethical fashion to the consumer via our retailer partners. It is our intention to have our own retail stores in the near future as well as extend the brand into other categories such as accessories, shoes and bags.  EDUN LIVE will continue to grow both its consumer and trade business by providing basic garments (such as tees and hoodies) made 100% in Africa.

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