Sir David Attenborough with a Pachacuti Panama Hat
We were so pleased to donate two of our most beautiful Panama Hats in support of The Fashion for Conservation sustainable runway show & 25th anniversary Hope Gala with Sir David Attenborough. The event was held at the London Natural History Museum.
The Fashion for Conservation sustainable runway show & 25th anniversary Hope Gala
Firstly, it was our honour to present Pachacuti Panama Hats to both Sir David Attenborough and Edward Whitley, founder of The Whitley Fund for Nature. The donation was for their amazing contribution in support of nature conservation. Each of the hats presented are hand-woven in a superior llano weave and lined with an organic cotton band and trimmed with a rare vintage ribbon. The classic bows were finished with a handmade sterling silver pin.
We are proud to introduce Leon Salinas Blanca Orfelina, who is the expert weaver of this hat. Sra. Orfelina is 60 years old and lives in Guel, a mountain village outside of Cuenca, Ecuador.
Weaving a Pachacuti Hat demands incredible skill. Each of Sra. Orfelina’s hats have there own, unique character as it is woven entirely by hand. This hat took over a week to complete. Sra. Orfelina works within in a co-operative of weavers and has been producing Pachacuti Hats for over 25 years.
Fashion for Conservation, Elle L and The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) joined forces to present a sustainable runway show at the ‘Hope Gala’, raising an additional million for grassroots conservation heroes.
With the support of WFN Patron, HRH Princess Royal, alongside 350 guests. Trustee Sir David Attenborough presented a speech to mark a special moment for conservation worldwide. Embracing the need to change the face of fashion, an audience of fashions finest including Venetia Scott of British Vogue and Caroline Rush of British Fashion Council came together to witness a runway show curated by Fashion for Conservation and music artist, Elle L.
The event was hosted by BBC wildlife presenter and WFN Ambassador Kate Humble. The evening celebrated the achievements of Whitley Award-winning conservationists over the last 25 years. The gala raised an additional £1 million in conservation funding for these winners. The first pledge towards this target being made by L.A. based Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.
What Fashion For Conservation Do
Fashion for Conservation aims to reverse fashion’s impact on the environment. By joining forces with Elle L and The Whitley Fund for Nature, creative projects bridged directly to conservation efforts become a reality. Their shared vision marks a moment of change and hope for the future for both fashion and conservation. WFN is fundraising and grant-giving nature conservation charity. The charity offers recognition, training and grants to support the work of grassroots conservationists across some of the most biodiversity-rich, resource-poor places in the world.
