Endelea

Endelea began in 2018 as a bold and wild dream to prove that a different way of doing fashion is possible.  What started from a PowerPoint presentation gradually evolved into a project that became a company, or rather two, between Milan and Dar es Salaam. A certified B Corp startup which generated direct social and economic impact for over 300 people every year in East Africa - and we are incredibly proud of this. Even though our name in Swahili means "to keep going," we felt it was right to end the project, given an increasingly complex economic situation, especially for a small ethical fashion startup bridging Europe and Africa. It is not an easy choice, but it is the responsible one to make. From Milan Fashion Week to the most remote Maasai villages in Tanzania, what a journey these 6 years! We are grateful for the opportunity to grow alongside the extraordinary people of our teams, in both countries, and to make our voice heard. Thank you to all of you who have listened to us, supported us, and worn our creations during these years filled with colors and awe. Endelea and our ideas continue to live in our clothes and in your hearts. Keep telling our story: it is a story of ideals, love, strength, hope, courage, and most importantly, of lives that changed for real. Today marks the start of our final sale. This will be the last chance to purchase our pieces online or at our store in Milan. We can’t wait to welcome you with open arms and our usual smile. See you soon! ❤️

This week our story has been featured on Corriere della Sera! An incredible opportunity to share our view on ethical fashion with the broadest community of readers across Italy and to advocate for more conscious ways of doing business. Thank you to Symbola - Fondazione per le qualità italiane for selecting Francesca as one of their #35designersunder35, and to elena comelli for the nice chat ✨ Read the full article online here: https://lnkd.in/dHmiwcmN #fondazionesymbola #endeleadreambold #ethicalfashion #bcorp #sustainablebusiness #corrieredellasera

Always such a pleasure meeting passionate students willing to make a difference in the world 🌍 🌱 We're happy to take part in the Bocconi & Jobs by Università Bocconi for the second year, proud to be the only sustainable fashion startup in the room + the only company with a colorful tablecloth! #bocconi #recruiting #hr #sustainablefashion #sustainablebusiness

«When I quit my job to create Endelea, the most popular question among my Italian friends was: “how will you do with your pension?”. While when I landed in Tanzania, I was overwhelmed by that "anything is possible" kind of feeling that everyone has. The future, in Africa, is not in 20 or 30 years, it is tomorrow, it is today. Optimism is contagious.» And it is no coincidence that in Swahili, Endelea means: "to go forward without giving up". Thank you Silvia Pagliuca for this beautiful interview on Il Sole 24 Ore ✨ 🚀 #ethicalfashion #sustainabledesign #sustainablebusiness #bcorp

Designed for Bold Women: our first organic cotton collection is online! ✨ 🪐 It is a true ode to nature and its connections with the universe, and the boldest and the most feminine collection we ever created.   A special part of it has been designed by Tiziano Guardini - another believer who wants to change the world, renowned for mixing tailoring, innovation and respect for the planet. In his vision, "Endelea is a bridge back to the cradle of life" and his capsule is dedicated to a free woman dancing between the stars and the earth. We're proud to share that this is our first on-demand collection, that will allow us to reduce our environmental impact and avoid excess waste and unnecessary inventory. 🌱 Orders can be placed before March 20 and will be shipped in May, embracing fashion at a slower, more mindful pace — trust us, the wait is worth it! #ethicalfashion #slowfashion #sustainabledesign #sustainablebusiness

Grazie Alberto Improda for featuring us on Italia Circolare 🌱 With a very interesting note from "2018 Edelman Earned Brand Global Report" that says that "brands are increasingly urged to go beyond simple corporate interests to participate as protagonists in building a better society. (…) Consumers are telling companies that brands are perceived as the most efficient force for effective change." - so powerful! #sustainablebusiness #bcorp #ethicalbusiness

Our Francesca De Gottardo has been selected as one of the "35 designers under 35", a project promoted by Symbola - Fondazione per le qualità italiane and ADI Associazione per il Disegno Industriale to share the stories of how design can give concrete answers to the climate, social and economic crises we face today, and thus future-proof our economies and societies. Proud to be in the company of such bold dreamers! Thank you ✨

We are proud to announce that we obtained another important recognition. Our wonderful Serena and Lucia received the Social Impact Award during the first La Carica delle 101 awards ceremony last week. This non-profit initiative, launched in 2020 through the tenacity of 100 women + the founder, Giovannella Condò, supports startups on their growth journey. During the event, 6 startups were awarded, and Endelea was recognized for the commitment to social impact, with the award presented by Withersworldwide. This acknowledgment stands as a testament to the mission that drives every action we take. A special thank you to La carica delle 101 for their support and trust! We’ll continue to dream bold 💚 #socialimpact #ethicalfashion #bcorpcertified

Our CEO Francesca outlines the Digital Product Passport with our partners Renoon.

According to research, less than 5% of the global factory workers in the textiles and manufacturing industry earn a livable wage. Our CEO Francesca is adamant that each one of us has a role to play in reshaping fashion’s impact on both the environment and the lives of the workers. Imagine you want to buy a stylish winter jacket, and you can choose between two jackets similar in every way except that they were made in different facilities under different conditions; one in a typical sweatshop and the other in a certified factory where the workers are paid a living wage and enjoy healthcare benefits, free transport to work and are provided with lunch daily - which jacket would you buy? The Business of Fashion note in the newly released #StateOfFashion report that “fashion brands should consider investing in developing more transparent and collaborative relationships with their suppliers.” Our partnership with Renoon underscores this belief, and extends the opportunity to you, our loyal customers, to make educated decisions about the clothing you buy. As the saying goes ‘knowledge is power’ and we believe in our loyal customers being equipped with all the details of our supply chain. Our ready-to-wear and accessories collections now come with a QR code that you can scan to get the full digital passport of the items. This innovation is powered by our wonderful partners at Renoon who are just as passionate about changing the way we produce and consume fashion. #sustainablefashion #ethicalfashion #transparency #accountability