Edun

I found Edun while looking for something totally different. Bono (lead singer of U2 for those that may be on another planet) puts his money where his mouth is for sure. He is one of the most socially consious people on this planet.

Edun is Bono's ideals moved to the next higher level. Not only that, the clothes are fabulous and not expensive.

Edun is associated with the One Campaign - to make poverty history.

If these designs are any indication, poverty will be history a lot soon rather than later.

From their site:

EDUN is a socially conscious clothing company created by Ali Hewson and Bono with New York clothing designer Rogan Gregory. Two years in the planning before its launch in spring 2005. The company aims to bring the issue of sustainable employment to the world of catwalks and high fashion. This is conscious consumerism, with a radical and crucially stylish twist.

EDUN grew out of a desire to shirt the focus away from aid in the developing world, particularly Africa, to trade. It is an attempt to help deliver the fishing rod rather than the fish. For instance, 'Africa has lost six percent of the world trade since the Seventies.' Ali points out. 'If they could regain one per cent of that, Africa would earn $70 billion a year. They currently receive only $22 billion a year in aid.'

EDUN is utilizing locally-run factories in Africa, South Africa and India. 'These facilities have all been personally inspected and approved by the EDUN team, ensuring that they operate on sound business and ethical bases.

EDUN is a for-profit initiative with an attempt to create a business model others will want to replicate, which will encourage reinvestment in the work force of the developing world.