The inspired collection of 320 limited-edition bags is thoughtfully designed and handcrafted by artisans from Burkina Faso and Kenya.
The Maison KARL LAGERFELD and Sustainability Ambassador Amber Valletta introduce a limited-edition and individually-numbered tote bag, meticulously hand-stitched by artisans from Burkina Faso and Kenya. This tote showcases a unique design that honors creative heritage, promotes female empowerment, and supports sustainable development. By blending traditional artisan methods with modern design aesthetics, this stylish tote is chic and perfectly suited for today’s lifestyle.
“This tote is more than a bag — it celebrates creativity, community, and thoughtful design,” says Amber Valletta, Sustainability Ambassador for KARL LAGERFELD. “Collaborating on this project has been an energizing experience, highlighting our interconnectedness and the beauty of honoring traditional heritage alongside contemporary design.”
KARL LAGERFELD invited the Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI) to contribute its expertise and local insights into the creative and production processes for the tote. EFI aims to create jobs, foster trade, and enhance the quality of life in rural and marginalized communities across Africa. Its focus on empowering women provides households with additional income and education for children. EFI is a program of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
Collaborating with Amber Valletta and EFI on this project further represents KARL LAGERFELD’s ongoing journey within KARL CARES. Acknowledging that building a more sustainable future is an ongoing process across all areas of its business, KARL CARES is defined by actionable objectives that exemplify how the brand approaches and tracks its corporate social responsibility across three core pillars: the People it works with, the Planet it takes resources from, and the Partners it collaborates with.
The oversized tote is crafted in Burkina Faso from organic, 100% rain-fed cotton and dyed using GOTS certified dyes. The “Faso Danfani” textiles are hand-woven by women artisans of CABES GIE, EFI social enterprise partner in Burkina Faso. The bag’s silhouette is embellished with intricate glass beadwork made by Maasai tribes in Kenya and assembled at Tujikuze in Nairobi.
KARL LAGERFELD’s Creative Director, Hun Kim, partnered with Amber Valletta to design a tote with minimal trims and no plastic-based elements, ensuring timeless appeal and recyclability. Only 320 pieces will be available, and each bag includes a bespoke informational patch identifying the exclusive production number. To complement each standout piece, the bags have been hand-signed by the Kenyan artisan.
“As our ongoing partnership with Amber evolves each season, we explore projects that fuse our mutual passions for craftsmanship and collaboration,” says Hun Kim, Creative Director of KARL LAGERFELD. “We are honored to work with the Ethical Fashion Initiative’s teams across Africa — from dedicated farmers to talented weavers and skilled artisans — to bring this tote bag to life while respecting meaningful local traditions.”
