The event brought together a varied audience, from fashion designers, representatives of textile companies, international cooperation, indigenous organizations, students, among others. The objective was to make visible the challenges faced by the Amazon, its communities and the various opportunities offered by the fashion industry to work with alternative inputs and value chains in a sustainable way.
The afternoon began with a talk demonstrating how fashion has the potential to make a positive impact in the Amazon on climate, economic, social and cultural issues. Participants included Percy Summers, Senior Director of Science and Development at Conservation International; Ross Barrantes, Director of Fashion Law Latam; Sumy Kujón, fashion designer with extensive experience working with inputs and Amazonian communities; Silvia Crosato, Commercial Manager of Itesa, a textile company with a strong focus on sustainability; and Uziela Achayap, President of the Asociación Bosque de las Nuwas, an enterprise led by Awajún women. The talk was moderated by Luis Marino, Director of the Amazon Business Alliance at Conservation International.
"The connection between nature and fashion is clear. The fashion industry not only uses inputs from nature, like any industry, but also draws inspiration from it, in its colors, patterns or textures. Even more so, being in one of the most megadiverse countries on the planet. Protecting our biodiversity is essential to prosper, and that is why Conservation International is looking for strategic partners to expand the impact of conservation in new production chains. It is difficult, but not impossible", said Percy Summers.
A central part of the event was the fashion show in which the bio-jewelry pieces of the Bosque de las Nuwas Association and the artisans of the Alto Mayo Protected Forest stood out. This parade also featured pieces from the Shipibo-Konibo, Huitoto, Bora, Harakmbut and Yine peoples and was curated by designers Meche Correa, Sumy Kujón and José Clemente.
“I would like everyone to know that in my Awajún community, and in other communities, we are working on different fronts, rescuing stories, protecting our forests, and we need the support of the institutions, but for that we need to visit the communities, so that they know about us, how we live. I am proud of what the mothers of my community have taught me, I am happy because I have returned to my customs and today I am leading 70 women who fight and work day by day in the Nuwa Forest”.
This space has been promoted by the Amazon Business Alliance with the aim of demonstrating that there are alternative value chains, such as the fashion industry, with high potential to close economic gaps and at the same time have a positive impact on forest conservation and value the culture of indigenous peoples.
The Amazon Business Alliance is a platform led by USAID, the Government of Canada, and Conservation International, which facilitates and creates the necessary conditions for the development of business models that improve the quality of life of Amazonian communities, contributing to the achievement of national climate goals and the Sustainable Development Goals.
