Mountain communities at the heart of sustainable fashion

Ethical fashion and global impact took centre focus in Rome’s historic Trajan’s Markets on 6 June 2025. As part of the Phygital Sustainability Expo®, the panel “Weaving Sustainability and Global Impact” spotlighted how fashion can support remote mountain communities, while advancing environmental justice, cultural preservation and more inclusive economies.  

The panel, which was facilitated by the collaboration between the Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Italian Development Cooperation, explored how traditional textile knowledge from mountain areas is being revived through the Fashion for Fragile Ecosystems initiative, which connects mountain artisans with Italian designers. Moderated by journalist Eleonora Tomassi, the session featured insights from governments, development institutions and leading voices in sustainable fashion. 

Francesco Serpi of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Mountain Partnership focal point, reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to initiatives that combine culture, sustainability and economic development. He stressed the need to protect what already exists while expanding efforts, ensuring that ethical fashion becomes a concrete force for sustainable development. 

Stella Jean, Mountain Partnership Goodwill Ambassador since 2020, offered a designer’s perspective grounded in justice, collaboration and respect for craftsmanship. Reflecting on her work in Kyrgyzstan and Peru, she spoke of the need to move beyond aesthetics and trends and confront the structural inequalities behind global fashion supply chains. For her, valuing traditional artisan work — especially in mountain areas where women face systemic challenges — is essential to sustainability. 

From Uganda, Maureen Anino, Assistant Commissioner at the Ministry of Water and Environment and MP focal point, called for local ownership of sustainability. Wearing a dress made by Ugandan artisans, she spoke about community consent, cultural identity and intergenerational knowledge as foundations for ethical fashion. She noted that without economic security, environmental protection remains out of reach. She also emphasized that circular fashion, when designed inclusively, can support both ecosystems and communities. 

Representing Kyrgyzstan, Talai Bazarbaev, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to FAO, highlighted mountain crafts as more than cultural expressions: they are tools for economic resilience. Initiatives like this help preserve heritage, strengthen identity and create new pathways for livelihoods grounded in intergenerational learning. 

Giorgio Grussu of the MPS presented the origins of the Fashion for Fragile Ecosystems initiative, which was launched to address the challenges faced by mountain artisans: geographic isolation, long and unequal value chains, and limited access to fair markets—factors that often leave artisans undercompensated despite producing high-quality, low-impact goods rooted in circular traditions. The initiative aims to shift that dynamic by connecting producers to fair markets, rooted in mutual respect. He also stressed that sustainability is not only environmental — it is social, and it demands justice for the people who make the clothes we wear. 

Already active in Kyrgyzstan, Peru and Guatemala, the initiative is expanding. The Mountain Partnership Secretariat remains committed to building fairer collaborations, opening up market access and making sure that mountain communities are seen, heard and valued on global platforms.  

As the panel made clear, sustainable fashion is not just about style — it’s about justice, heritage and our collective future. From the centre of Rome to the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, Peru and beyond, these threads are helping stitch together a more ethical world.