On the occasion of Milan Women's Fashion Week, 10 Corso Como partners with Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) and Spring Studios on an initiative dedicated to African craftsmanship, sustainable design, and creative collaboration.

From September 25 to 28, in the spaces of 10 Corso Como, EFI presents The Cotton Road, an exhibition around West African cotton, tracing its journey from the field to fabric to fashion. The program also includes live artisan demonstrations, African designer showcases and two public roundtable discussions exploring the future of fashion.
The exhibition takes visitors through the full lifecycle of cotton: from the farms of Benin and Burkina Faso to the hands of spinners, weavers, dyers, and designers shaping its transformation. It highlights not only the artistry of traditional techniques but also the innovation that’s driving a more transparent and inclusive fashion system. The show also features the work of five African designers that have been selected by EFI to create a unique look – a collaboration rooted in local materials and made using traditional methods such as hand weaving and plant-based dyeing: Sean Nobayo (Benin), Gaïnga (Burkina Faso), Olooh (Côte d’Ivoire), Numu D (Mali), Feelinger (Chad).
Hosted on September 26, the two talks bring together designers, experts and industry leaders to discuss pressing issues and emerging ideas in fashion today.

11:00 AM 
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE FASHION: Chemicals, Impact & Solutions
Hosted with the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, the discussion dives into the role of innovation and regulation in phasing out harmful chemicals from the textile industry - from production to post-consumer waste. 
Organized by EFI, UNECE, FAO, UNEP, WIPO, BRS, UNCCD, and ILO.

3:00 PM 
BEYOND THE RUNWAY: Building Global Pathways for African Creatives
Moderated by Teneshia Carr of Blanc Magazine, this conversation explores the future of African fashion through the lens of visibility, ownership, and cultural storytelling. Featured speakers include leading designers and creative entrepreneurs from across Africa and its diaspora.

Ethical Fashion Initiative
EFI - a programme of the International Trade Centre - has been working in the cotton value chain in West Africa since 2012. Via its local partner CABES GIE based in Burkina Faso, EFI’s efforts now support more than 4,000 artisans in the region – helping them strengthen their businesses, improve production, and access markets that value sustainability and heritage. This work has been supported by EFI’s long-term partners, including the European Union through its OACPS Business Friendly Programme as well as SECO.