Sustainable footwear model ‘ekn’ introduces the world’s first sneaker made in Europe and designed in Bangladesh by a rising feminine dressmaker from Dhaka.
Newly launched restricted version vegan sneaker goals to undermine exploitation within the international footwear trade.
In a transfer that undermines the established order of style design, Frankfurt-based sustainable shoe model e.g launches the world’s first unisex shoe designed in Bangladesh and manufactured in Europe. The brand new e.g Kamthala is a restricted version vegan sneaker made in Portugal and designed in Bangladesh by a rising feminine Bangladeshi designer, Rokaiya Ahmed Purna.
Named after Bangladesh’s nationwide fruit – the jackfruit – Ekn Kamthala makes a daring assertion for the trade to rethink the way it works with the World South, turning the same old ‘designed within the World North, made within the World South’ paradigm on its head.
The idea was to “create a sneaker as an emblem of respect” – aiming to reverse among the unethical provide chain practices, air pollution and exploitation which were synonymous with the shoe trade for many years – to faucet into the youthful generations’ urge for food for significant change.
politeness and so forth
politeness and so forth
Bangladeshi designer Rokaiya Ahmed Purna is dedicated to gender equality, accountable consumption and manufacturing, selling indigenous textiles and innovation, and empowering girls and ladies in her homeland.
“In Bangladesh, we have now a really wealthy cultural custom and heritage, which I attempt to implement in all my work,” she says. My very own roots and childhood recollections additionally affect my design; the inspiration for oak Kamthala comes from the jackfruit, the nationwide fruit of Bangladesh, with which I’ve a deep relationship. As a baby there was a tree proper in entrance of my home the place I performed and drew and slept below. We’re used to the time period “Made in Bangladesh”, not “Designed in Bangladesh”, however the brand new technology of Bangladeshis are beginning to assume otherwise and act otherwise. As a part of this technology, I really feel lucky to have the chance to create change. I am residing the dream of so many individuals, so it is a possibility that comes with a whole lot of accountability.”
politeness and so forth
Placing respect first
ekn was based in 2013 by Noel Klein-Reesink, after years of looking for the proper skate shoe and designing for New Stability and adidas. His expertise taught him that there was a severe want for a well-designed, considerate and sustainable sneaker, therefore the oak’s long-term mission assertion “Made in Friendship” – a substitute for inhumane and environmentally degrading practices.
“The Ekn Kamthala shoe is an announcement – an indication of respect. As a result of in a simply world there is no such thing as a privileged aspect of the association. If justice is the objective, we must always share our ambitions.” says Klein-Reesink.
Alexander Grapp, Group Artistic Director at Accenture Track and initiator of the idea, says: “‘Made In’ labels not solely gloss over the unfair circumstances that individuals within the World South usually work below – in addition they reinforce dangerous stereotypes about creativity and manufacturing within the so-called “first” and “third world”. They assume that American and European design is superior to that of the international locations the place manufacturers outsource their manufacturing, which is just not the case. All of that is what we needed to problem with this assertion. And alongside the best way we realized and had been consistently impressed by the creativity and resilience of Bangladeshi designers like Rokaiya. We hope this makes individuals assume! We want to invite extra corporations and types to work otherwise with international locations like Bangladesh and past – and to faucet into the expertise and creativity that’s clearly ready to be extra extensively recognised.”
All of Eken’s sneakers are made in Portugal from sustainable supplies, with the purpose of offering prime quality sneakers with out the social and environmental harm attributable to comparable producers.
All earnings from the sale of the sneakers can be used to type a non-governmental group to supply the inventive individuals of Dhaka a brand new office, and to a growth program that seeks gifted feminine designers in Bangladesh and different international locations to create an ongoing collection of ekn -shoes.
The restricted version ekn Kamthala can be obtainable worldwide beginning January 21, 2023 for a retail worth of $215.00 by visiting www.eknfootwear.com/en.
politeness and so forth
Rokaiya Ahmed Purna.
