An eco-friendly approach has always been part of French Métis designer Andréanne Mulaire Dandeneau’s business plan. Compassion for the planet is integral to her identity and her mission. “I was raised very eco-conscious,” she says of her French Métis upbringing. “Indigenous people have a strong connection to the earth. It’s embedded in who we are.”
So when she set out to design her own line, Dandeneau put her heart for the planet and pride in her heritage front and center—diligently sourcing eco-friendly yarn from slave-free farms and hiring Canada-based knitters and dyers to produce the bamboo fabrics before adding embroidered and graphic indigenous designs created by her and her father. The result: ready-to-wear clothing that is soft yet durable, unique yet versatile, and gentle on people and the planet.
When Lisa Folawiyo married traditional West African textiles with hand embellishment and modern tailoring, the fashion and entertainment world—including singer Solange Knowles and actress Lupita Nyong’o, both of whom have been seen wearing Folawiyo’s designs—took notice. Folawiyo was the first designer to hand-embellish Ankara, a bold and colorful wax-print fabric.
“The Lisa Folawiyo label is centered around hand embellishment,” she says. “Certain garments in the collections are hand-beaded by artisans. Each season, I find inspiration from different cultures of Nigeria and my personal travels.” Every carefully crafted piece conveys a story—of heritage and hard work. On average, there is a 240-hour process behind each hand-embellished item. “This method of craftsmanship has contributed to the growth of the label,” Folawiyo explains, “and its continued reliance on slower, more functional production.”Folawiyo applies the same care and integrity to her business as she does her designs. “The Lisa Folawiyo brand imbibes a sense of family, even at work,” she says.