Redefining Fashion in the Global South
When we hear the words “fashion” and “global south” together, what’s frequently being talked about is the exploitation of workers. Or the dumping grounds of fast fashion. Or, at best, a discussion of artisans. Essentially, it’s the imbalance of the “global north” being considered where the creatives are, which leaves the rest of the world as the worker bees that make what we imagine.
Of course, this has nothing to do with talent or creativity and everything to do with economic opportunity, which is why we’re excited to share with you how PVBLIC Foundation’s Fashion Impact Fund is facilitating change with their latest grant to Datina Design.
Spotlight on Datina Design
Located in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Datina Design is a Fashion and Vocational Training Centre founded more than 15 years ago by Atinuke Smith. Atinkuke is committed to empowering women through the art of fashion design with a comprehensive curriculum that offers hands-on training from initial concepts to final creations.
Launching the Sew 4 Fun Project
Now, with the support of the Fashion Impact Fund, Datina Design will launch the Sew 4 Fun Empowerment Project. This three-month initiative aims to train 20 women in the crucial facets of fashion design, including styling, merchandising, and, critically, entrepreneurship. The program will give them an overall understanding of the fashion business, ensuring these women can secure jobs and potentially lead their own ventures.
The Fashion Impact Fund allows us to empower women in our community, unlocking their potential, turning dreams into reality, transforming lives, fostering hope and resilience, and stitching success into every seam of our community. –Atinuke Smith
Such programs are critical if we’re to have fashion entrepreneurship thrive everywhere. In regions like the Global South, where economic opportunities are often limited, especially for women, education and skills empowerment are the pathway to becoming more than traditional factory garment workers. Programs like those offered by Datina Design do not merely teach women to sew; they are gateways to independence, leadership, and innovation. These initiatives challenge the status quo and redefine women’s roles in local and global economies.
Atinuke has focused on community development through female empowerment, and since its inception, Datina Design has empowered over 5,000 women.
The PVBLIC Foundation is honored to invest in fashion workforce development solutions that empower women, not only to thrive in the fashion industry but to serve as catalysts for change in their communities. By equipping women with the skills and opportunities they need, we’re fostering sustainable economic growth, nurturing entrepreneurial spirit, and paving the way for inclusive development within the sector. Programs like Datina Design’s Sew 4 Fun Empowerment Project create a ripple effect—transforming lives at the grassroots level while contributing to the global movement for gender equity and economic empowerment. It’s not just about fashion; it’s about building futures and shaping a more resilient and inclusive world for women everywhere. –Kerry Bannigan
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