Mariama Camara
Mariama Camara @mariamacamaraofficial_, is a multi-talented entrepreneur who has made a name for herself in the sustainable fashion industry. She is the founder of Mariama Fashion Production (@mariamafashionproduction) and sustainable product line Kanafrik (@kanafrik). She is also the co-founder of There Is No Limit Foundation, an international non-profit organization empowering women, children, and communities.
IRK: Tell us your “Why”
My why is that I always thought that a business who just makes money was a poor business. I always believe in giving back to our community, our world. I believe in paying attention to what’s happening to our world and how we can become an agent of change in bettering our world our planet. And that’s why with my production company I started thinking about responsible ways of producing textiles by creating workshop for the artisans in Côte d’Ivoire and guinea with partners to replace synthetic dyes with natural dyes by using local plants, foods to create textiles. This same reason inspired me to create Kanafrik to make accessible clean and sustainable skincare products and food, recycling and refill station in Africa. What’s keeps me going is my passion. I am a humanitarian by nature something I learn from my parents and wants to continue the legacy. I believe we are what we give.
IRK: What are you most passionate about with respect to taking care of people and the planet?
I am passionate about empowering others and creating a source of income for women and artisans and advocating for them. We only have one planet; I feel like we must all do our part to save it and leave it better for the next generation to come. We must all take into consideration the current issues happening with climate change and global warming. Working in the fashion industry for all these years and knowing that our industry is among one of the most polluting is important that we all play our part to make it better and sustainable for our planet and the consumers.
IRK: What are some conscious actions you implement in your daily life?
Saving energy, limiting food waste, creating refill station in my store for my clients to learn how to use and recycle. Offering reusable bags instead of single use plastic. all our Kanafrik products sold in the United States are in reusable and recycle packaging and all natural. Via my production company we are reusing all the textiles waste to create new products and educating our clients, consumers and artisans to produce responsibly.
IRK: What’s your hope for the future of the planet?
A peaceful planet, a preserve nature clean and safe for everyone to live in.
What Sustainable Development Goal do you align with the most? https://sdgs.un.org/goals
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 1: No Poverty
