On September 24, the Amazon, Fashion and Opportunities event was held, led by the Amazon Business Alliance, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Government of Canada and Conservation International, together with the Alliance of Fashion Designers of Peru. This event was part of the Boutique Moda Peru, an annual fashion show put together by Peru's leading fashion designers, who this time dedicated a whole day to showcase the richness of the Amazon and its potential in the fashion industry.
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, sustainably.
The afternoon began with a talk that demonstrated how fashion has the potential to have a positive impact on the Amazon in terms of 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 Amazonian communities; Silvia Crosato, Commercial Manager of Itesa, a textile company with a strong focus on sustainability; and Uziela Achayap, President of the Nuwas Forest Association, an enterprise led by Awajún women. The space 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, in one of the most megadiverse countries on the planet. Protecting our biodiversity is essential if we are to prosper, which 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. Percy Summers said.
A central part of the event was the cat walk, in which the bio-jewelry pieces of the Nuwas Forest and the artisans of the Alto Mayo Protected Forest stood out. This fashion show 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.
Uziela Achayap, president of the Nuwas Forest Association closed the session saying "I would like everyone to know that in my Awajun community, and in others nearby, we are working on different fronts, rescuing stories, protecting our forests, and we need the support of institutions, but we also need to people visiting our 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 every day in the Nuwas Forest for a better future".
`Amazon, Fashion and Opportunities´ was promoted by the Amazon Business Alliance to demonstrate 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 whilst adding value to indigenous culture.
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.