“We have materialised this commitment via 15 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives built under seven of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are: quality education, reduce inequality, responsible consumption and production, gender equality, decent work, economic growth, climate action, peace, justice and strong institutions.

“About €7.3 million is being committed towards these 15 initiatives for the next five years across all African countries. This is an increased expenditure towards our social commitments,”the Managing Director of Texstyles Ghana Limited, Fatoumata Doro, said.

Ms Doro who made this known at the 2022 Vlisco Fashion Fund Awards Night held in Accra on Wednesday said for over 170 years, the group, Vlisco, had positioned itself as a benchmark for fashion and luxury in Africa.

“Well established in the west and the center of the African continent with its four brands, Vlisco, Uniwax, Woodin and GTP, the company has an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) commitment which is “Doing the best we can with the people of Africa.

Through this commitment, Vlisco Group is choosing to collaborate with its African ecosystem to create win-win relationships, sustainably,” she said.

Empowering tailors

The Brand Marketing Manager of Vlisco in Ghana, Deborah Sowah, said fashion designers and tailors played an important role the ecosystem such that any time customers buy Vlisco prints, the next process was finding a suitable fashion designer or tailor to create them a wonderful look.

“We find it a necessary part of our business to empower talented fashion designers and tailors who need training in business management, exposure, and funding from a brand like Vlisco with expert knowledge in the field of fashion,” she said.

She said this year’s Vlisco Fashion Fund received over 407 applications in Ghana, adding that a meticulous review process of the applications took place, followed by sewing tests and interviews conducted by a trio jury.

Winners

The overall winner, Deladem Midekor, will receive a €5,000 investment in her business and a two-week Master Couture training in the Netherlands.

She emerged winner after a series of processes, including a physical test, interviews and the creation of five distinct collections showcased during a fashion show.

The first runner-up gets an investment funding of €3,000 while the second runner-up gets an investment funding worth €2,000.