Stella Jean: Making fashion while helping communities.
Stella Jean, the first black Italian designer, collaborated with YOOX and Emerging Pakistan for this year #MFW as Yoox celebrates their 10th anniversary. Yooxygen was the first online platform primarily focusing on responsible fashion. Stella Jean and Yoox have joined forces with the artisans in their reality, for an ethical capsule that combines two preeminence: the particular aesthetic of the communities of Kalash, Hunza, and Gilgit, all minority communities, some who are at risk of extinction, and that of Italian design. This is an exciting collaboration because it stems from a shared vision; promoting responsible and sustainable choices in fashion by supporting local populations of their craftsmanship.
For the first time, Yoox is presenting, culture, and work of the reality of these communities to an international audience. They are using the Yooxygen platform to present the tradition and practice of that region to a worldwide audience for the first time. It also added that this launch is a call to action to spread awareness and empower these communities, which will lead to employment for these local artists.
Stella lived in Chitral for two months, where she immersed herself among Kalash women to become familiar with their traditions, their handcrafts, and their signature hand embroidery on their dresses–a tradition that is slowly becoming extinct. She got involved because she believes a community so rich in culture shouldn’t disappear. Stellas’ mission was to focus on their distinctive, beautiful hand embroidered dresses by sharing centuries-old traditions of the Kalash women and combining it with Italian design.
For this collection, Stella decided to highlight the woman of Kalash, to empower them through employment. This would be the first time in history that the Kalash designs have left outside the Kalash community. The collection didn’t stem too far away from Jean’s signature runway looks, stipes, tailored waist, logoed jersey, with bright embroidery and bright prints. Stella used her platform to incited economic and social change. A beautiful collection with a beautiful message.