December 15th was the International Day of Migration for the United Nations.
Recently, IFA Paris signed a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Western Balkans, to develop a partnership with several activations.
Art Show in Banja Luka
The first, is to provide access to fashion education to selected migrants transiting through the IOM center in Sarajevo. IFA Paris, will give these future students the opportunity to access Fashion Studio’s short training course that allows them to improve their design and production skills, thus helping them to become fashion designers. It is important for the school to offer a chance to these young fashion enthusiasts, and it is not the first time that the
Art Show in Banja Luka
school has been involved in this kind of action, as for several years it has been collaborating with the Good Chance association, which aims to bring communities together around artistic projects.
Then, IOM also offers internship opportunities to IFA Paris students to help them work on their own project called No Nation Fashion (NNF). NNF is a sustainable brand that is being developed in collaboration between IOM’s Western Balkans office and migrants. Interns from IFA Paris will be selected to help coordinate workshops, marketing and communication activities to help develop the brand.
Art Show in Banja Luka
Finally, on the occasion of December 15, the United Nations invited IFA Paris to collaborate on an art show at the National Theater in Banja Luka where NNF’s designs were worn by models and dancers. The artist Jase King, with whom IFA Paris collaborates on many projects, saw his masks being part of the performance. Jean-Baptiste Andreani (CEO IFA Paris) was also invited to participate in a round table discussion on the topic of migrants and their
Art Show in Banja Luka
contribution to local economies. He gave his point of view on the different activities carried out by IFA Paris that create a link between fashion and migration.
This collaboration with a stakeholder such as the United Nations Migration Office is an opportunity for IFA Paris to assist in developing actionable and concrete solutions on a large scale to foster local communities.