Treasure from trash: the last straw? By using innovative new materials, African women are competing in the popular ethical fashion market around the world.

• Author: Cipriani, Simone

Is it possible for communities of women based in slums to be part of a global value chain linked to high-end fashion houses? How can they compete with time, productivity of labour, quality and so on? Surely these women belong to another world.

Benedicta in Kampals, Uganda sees things in another way. From her house of mud and wood where she brings up s large number of HIV orphans, she says "you just give me market access and support to acquire the skills I need, and I will do what I have to do. I produce fashionable things." Naive? No. Benedicta produces fabric woven from recycled plastic straws, which has now caught the attention of numerous international fashion houses who are queuing up to work with her through...