Endelea was founded in 2018 by Francesca De Gottardo as a Benefit Corporation that lives between Italy and Tanzania and is consistent with an approach that focuses on people and creativity, building value for both customers and communities involved in the supply chain. Driven by a commitment to prioritizing people, she aimed to establish a brand with a distinctive ethical character, thereby shaping Endelea's unique identity. Endelea is a fashion brand offering ready-to-wear and accessories marrying traditional African fabrics with Italian design. Endelea focuses on people and creativity to generate value for both customers and the communities in its supply chain.

Francesca De Gottardo, with a background in the fashion industry, founded Endelea in 2018. Driven by a commitment to prioritizing people, she aimed to establish a brand with a distinctive ethical character, thereby shaping Endelea's unique identity.

FOUNDER: Francesca De Gottardo

TEAM: 32 employees in Italy Tanzania

LOCATION: Italy & Tanzania

MATERIALS: Kikoi, wax fabric, cotton with Maasai pattern, Sisal

TECHNIQUE: Natural dyes, Weaving, Sewing

Endelea's workshop in Dar es Salaam is the home of the Tanzanian team. The salary of tailors and seamstresses is 96% higher than the national average and all enjoy health insurance for themselves and their families, along with free meals and transportation, and professional courses. In Milan Endelea mainly deals with design, marketing and sales. In Italy, as in Tanzania, 85% of the team is made up of women, with a zero gender pay gap (the difference in pay between men and women).

Endelea believes that the key to change is knowledge, which is why 3% of our revenues are invested in creating capacity-building trainings and collaborations between Italian and Tanzanian schools and universities.

Endelea’s other goal is to create a dialogue between Europe and Africa, promoting and educating its international audience on authentic African textile cultures. The brand's collections are made from wax, kikoi, and Maasai fabrics that we purchase from local producers with the aim of having control over the supply chain and the quality of the raw materials.