Artisan/designer fashion collaborations allow the gorgeous craft traditions and rich heritage of ancient cultures to be celebrated and appreciated by a global market. Check out our 8 favorite fashion collections that showcase the fruits of such collaborations!

1. AFIA
Designer Megan Sebold founded AFIA after studying in Ghana, where she discovered how she could bridge cultures and aesthetics through the world of fashion. The result is a refreshing, vibrant and very wearable collection of gorgeously crafted garments that are ethically made in Ghana from locally and sustainably sourced materials.

2. BANTU
Bantu Swimwear is made using traditional processes and through working exclusively with local African vendors and artisans for lively and seductive collections that are as sexy as they are suited for wearing in the water. Bantu is literally “bad ass swimwear” from Ethiopia.

3. Indigenous
Indigenous manufactures fashion collections that are entirely Fair Trade, made by South American artisans that weave and knit all the materials used by hand. The label’s employees work with artisans mostly in Peru, establishing artisans with fair wages, working conditions and the ability to share their breathtaking crafts with the entire world.

4. IOU Project
The IOU Project was set up by two design enthusiasts and friends with roots in Asia and Europe. Their designs come to life through the honest and beautiful work of artisans in both India and Spain, all working under optimal conditions, fair wages and the ability to have their personal story shared through each item they create.

5. Kore Kamino
Kore Kamino offers collections created by artisans from around the world, whereby local materials, artisans and techniques are celebrated in the modern global market. Collections from places like Brazil, Normandy, Hanoi, Ghana and Nepal can be found through Kore Kamino’s online store, with detailed and heartfelt stories from the characters involved in the creation each piece.

6. Muzungu Sisters
The Muzungu Sisters online Fair Trade fashion store was founded by friends Dana Alikhani and Tatiana Santo Domingo in 2009 to promote fair labor practices and worldwide artisan crafted goods. All items are sustainably sourced exclusively for the Muzungu Sisters, who hope to “shine a light on the rare artistry found in various communities, and to stimulate those local economies, all while providing customers with timeless, hand-selected items of impeccable quality and style.”

7. SUNO NY
SUNO is a high fashion label founded by Max Osterweis and Erin Beatty in 2008 that takes inspiration from the crafts and textiles of cultures around the globe. The designers collaborate with local talent in Kenya, India, Peru and New York to create a collection of unique prints, textures and embroideries that celebrate and beautifully blend the rich heritage of various cultures.

8. VOZ
VOZ is a fashion label aiming to empower indigenous Chilean artisans by bringing designers and artisans together in enriching and motivational collaborations. Collaborative workshops allow artisans to receive training, professional development tools, and the ability to share their craft and skills with the world. All VOZ garments are handmade, featuring premium quality natural and ecological fibers, hand dyed and woven to celebrate ancient traditions.

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Images: AFIA, BANTU, Indigenous, IOU Project, Kore Kamino, Muzungu Sisters, SUNO NY, VOZ

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