September 19th 2024
Last Thursday, we enjoyed an afternoon celebrating the launch of Top Manta’s new collection: DESIGNED BY AN IMMIGRANT, CRAFTED BY AN ARTISAN. This new collection aims to highlight the art and culture of the Global South, showing that another way of producing and living is not only possible but essential. This initiative was made possible through the collaboration of Hemper, a regenerative brand of backpacks crafted by a small community of hemp artisans in Kathmandu, Nepal.
For this reason, we were fortunate to hear the insights and experiences of Aziz Faye, co-founder of the Sindicat Manter and the Top Manta brand in Barcelona; Gloria Gubiana, co-founder of Hemper; Kathy Sey, actress, singer, and founding member of the Tinta Negra collective; Aissata M’ballo, co-founder of the Jaŋde publishing house; and Youssef El Maimouni, writer and social educator.
A few months ago, I read Andreu Escrivà’s book Against Sustainability. He starts by reflecting on the term “sustainability” and concludes that it has been overused, becoming malleable and volatile. Escrivà goes on to say that perhaps it is more appropriate to define unsustainability, which, as philosopher Fernández Buey defines it: “If the material basis for sustaining human life on Earth is not sustainable, then, evidently, neither can the type of civilization that caused this disruption be maintained.” Unsustainable, as Escrivà puts it, is essentially what cannot be sustained, whether due to economic, social, or environmental reasons.
With Aziz, Gloria, Kathy, Aissata, and Youssef, we shed light on what is unsustainable: not taking them into account. Not considering a fashion production that addresses the ecological footprint and its social and cultural dimensions. Not recognizing the voices of those who, through art and culture, denounce social inequalities. It is unsustainable not to consider the ability to communicate from a different, anti-racist perspective. It is unsustainable to ignore silenced stories. TOP MANTA’s new collection is a lesson that most companies and institutions in our country should learn from. We hope they take note.