Deutsch
EnglishPAN Germany and PAN UK toured to Fashion schools in Germany, France and the UK
12.2007, Alexandra Perschau
In October and November 2007 PAN Germany and PAN UK toured together with panel experts to several fashion schools in Europe. The aim was to show future decision makers in the fashion and textile industry how they can make a difference in the lives of cotton farmers around the world.
In Germany the tour visited fashion schools in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Duesseldorf and met with about 450 students to discuss the potential for the use of organic cotton. Dr. Davo Vodouhe, director of the Benenise Organisation OBEPAB, gave an in-depth view of the realities of cotton farmers in the South, while different German business representatives proved the feasibility to use organic cotton for their clothing.
In France and the UK, the tour covered Cholet, London, Oxford, Nottingham and Derby. Adside from Dr. Davo Vodouhe, it was additionally accompanied by Barnabas Guera Paul, an organic cotton farmer from the beginning in 1996, and other UK business representatives.
Both PAN Germany and PAN UK published new booklets for tour. They are guides for students of fashion and textile design, packed with useful information and tips from pioneer organic cotton designers and other users. PAN UK's booklet, titled "Organic by Design" (in English), as well as PAN Germanys booklet "Mode Macht Menschen" (in German) can be downloaded at their respective websites.
Further information on the tour at the PAN Germany and PAN UK websites at: http://www.pan-germany.org/deu/projekte/cotton_connection/aktivitaeten.html (in German) and http://www.pan-uk.org/Projects/Cotton/index.htm (in English)
Author: Alexandra Perschau, PAN Germany, Germany; alexandra.perschau(at)pan-germany.org, http://www.pan-germany.org