Studio One Eighty Nine

Studio One Eighty Nine, a social enterprise and artisan created apparel brand founded by Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah, just took home the prestigious CFDA Lexus Fashion Initiative for Sustainability award. The company creates clothes and material that is both manufactured in and inspired by Africa.

The company currently has a store in Accra, Ghana, an online store, a manufacturing facility there, and it contributes to numerous community-led initiatives across Africa and the USA. Studio 189 collaborates with artisanal groups that are experts in a range of age-old craft methods, including as hand-batik, kente weaving, natural plant-based indigo, and others.

Studio 189 partners with institutions like the United Nations ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative, the NYU Stern School of Business, and has worked with brands like Lexus, EDUN (LVMH), Fendi, Nike, Opening Ceremony, The Surf Lodge, Okay Africa, and Yoox Net a Porter. The company focuses on empowerment, job creation, and support for education and skills training.