Of the 100 billion garments produced each year, about 92 million tons end up in landfills, not to mention the fabric that is wasted during the production of these garments. Clothes produced in massive proportions quickly go out of style, rendering them unwearable by those who like to keep up with the trends. With awareness of wastage and pollution rising yearly, several clothing brands and outlets have begun to produce a limited amount of garments. It reduces waste and allows the customer to have selected clothing items that are unique on their own.
Carmen DeCharisse’s DeCarmenAfrik is one such brand. As a young designer, she aims to bring about a significant change in the world of fashion. Not only does she wish to shed light on the luxurious and gorgeous clothing the continent of Africa has to offer, but she also wants to create a brand that provides an ethical environment for its employees.
Several factors make DeCarmenAfrik a low-waste company. First is the usage of eco-friendly sustainable fabrics, and second is the production of small inventories. Producing a limited number of clothes makes the brand unique. It also helps keep the workload low on the employees, making it easy for them to focus on the task they have been assigned without hampering their creativity or making them feel overwhelmed.
As mentioned before, many brands mass produce their clothing products, making them generic, and in the possession of every other person. As haughty as it may sound, women prefer to wear dresses that won’t be seen for miles around. With the limited stock at DeCarmenAfrik, the clients are assured that only a handful of people in the world own the same piece they do, which encourages the customer to wear those outfits again and again.
The brand has also received widespread attention. Angie Thomas, author of NY Times best seller “The Hate You Give,” wore one of their outfits on CBS Mornings. DeCarmenAfrik believes that fashion is to celebrate women. Their mission is to make their customers feel confident, gorgeous, and luxurious.
Carmen believes that her brand has the potential to claim global recognition. With the help of her all-black female team, she aims to expand and grow and become a name everyone recognizes.
