Leila Hafzi presented her first collection in Stavanger, Norway, in 1997. With this, she introduced the idea of organic and ethical trade to the high end of the fashion industry. During the past ten years, the designer has built a network which represents the very best Nepal has to offer in tailoring and fabrics. Since then, her goal has remained unchanged: to introduce and represent eco and ethical trade in the fashion industry on a global basis, and in the future to develop an entirely environmental friendly production cycle.
With her company, Nepal Production AS, established in 2005, the designer has started looking towards the international market. In 2007, the collection, Alpha Vert- spring/ summer 08, was presented at fashion fairs in both Paris and Oslo, resulting in Leila Hafzi being awarded "Designer of the Year," as well as being chosen as the first Norwegian designer ever to create a piece for La Redoute. So far in 2008, we have launched one collection, O3- autumn/ winter 09, at fairs in Oslo and New York.
The design and production company, Nepal Production DA, was established in 2005. The company is a member of The Ethical Trading Initiative- Norway (IEH, multi-stakeholder initiative involving companies, employers' organizations, trade unions and NGOs). IEH's activities are based on the acknowledgment that companies have a responsibility towards human rights (including internationally accepted labor rights) in their supply chain.
Although Leila Hafzi has first-hand experience with the production processes in a developing country, the road to reach our goal will stretch over some time. In countries such as Nepal, the challenges surrounding ethical, ecological and organic garment production are sometimes overwhelming; however, we still keep stressing these issues.
from Leila-Hafzi.com
