nalda+Fashion: Creativity Without Borders

Fashion fighting poverty? It seems unlikely that fashion could be a viable platform for combating this pervasive issue plaguing many nations around the world. Yet that is exactly what some of fashion’s elite are trying to accomplish as they partner with the United Nations to help artisans in developing countries by giving them the skills, training, and resources they need to create sustainable development and become economically independent. Their vision — “Creativity Without Borders” has materialized into a global non-profit organization known as MARITAGE.

One of the organization’s biggest success stories is their collaboration with Reborn Kyoto, a non-profit that establishes training centers in impoverished nations to teach uneducated and unemployed residents how to make finely crafted modern garments using donated, gently used 100% silk kimonos. MARITAGE’s collaboration with Reborn Kyoto supports the survivors of genocide in Rwanda by giving them they skills they need to be able to seek employment as qualified professional tailors or designers.

Recently, Maritage held its first international gathering at the historic Union League Club in NYC to support the local designers they have been grooming. Thanks to the hard work of MARITAGE founder LUDY Suryantoro, and hosts Coumba Touré, President of the Advanced Development for Africa; and Jeanine Kim, Founder of the Women & Fashion FilmFest — the 3 day event was a huge success. Attendees were able to view a private fashion presentation showcasing designs from Qatar, Indonesia, Rwanda, and Senegal. The designers, along with their garments will be featured in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar Indonesia.

Ki-Ja Chung, Founder of Global Fashion for Development has helped Korea to join this global movement by opening a local chapter of Maritage in Seoul. By 2015, Maritage hopes to have a presence in over 193 countries around the world. It just goes to show you, doing good in the name of fashion never goes out of style. This has been Teri Ham, reporting from New York City for TBS eFM, Korea’s #1 foreign language radio station.

nalda+Profile: Metro Make-over in France

PARIS, FRANCE – This year, French residents and tourists may be getting an early Christmas present. In a city known for its luxury and opulence, tourists often get a rude awakening when they discover that the subway system is anything but well maintained. Passengers of the public transportation system are often greeted by rude daily commuters, as well as humid and smelly hallways littered with trash.

However, there may be a big change on the horizon. RATP – which runs the Metro and other rail services around Paris – has pledged to invest 70 million Euro per year, over the next five years in a massive project to clean-up the thousands of trains that make-up the country’s public transportation system. Another 40 million Euro will be invested towards addressing the many leaks and humidity problems that the metro stations face – which often cause damage to the station platforms and add to the poor conditions of the already 100-year-old underground network.

In addition to the work performed by RATP’s cleaning staff, grime inspectors will now be performing 3,400 unannounced, monthly check-ups to maintain the new cleanliness & odor standards for all of Paris’ 366 stations.

The timeliness of this new initiative comes at a financially surprising time as it is reported that last year RATP lost 100 million Euro due to fare-dodgers. It appears the make-over of the metro system is not stopping with its physical appearance. The company has also recently published a rule book titled “An etiquette manual for the modern traveler” which contains 12 instructions educating passengers on proper metro etiquette. In addition to the manual, France’s rail company has already employed 3,000 inspectors or “politeness police” to monitor and educate passengers about such improper train etiquette as spitting, language, and placement of feet on seats.

So, whether you are a local resident or a tourist in town for the holidays, hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised by the concerted efforts of the public transit system to make your ride both cleaner and friendlier. This has been Teri Ham, reporting from Paris, France for TBS eFM.

Related Reports: A new change in France’s Start-up Scene

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Korea’s #1 Foreign Language Radio Station: TBS eFM 101.3

THIS MORNING with host Alex Jensen (Every weekeday from 7:05-9AM)

Producer:  Seul Kim / Writers:  Kyung-mi Choi, So Hyeon Park, Hyoung-Joo Choi

nalda+Tech: A new change in France’s Start-up Scene

PARIS, FRANCE – For most, Paris may be known as the fashion capital of the world, but for tech lovers it is the home of the latest le web conference. Le Web, tagged as the “place where revolutionaries gather to plot the future” has recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary. Today, LeWeb is recognized as the premier international conference for startups and entrepreneurs.   For 3 days, visionaries from around the world gather together to unlock the potential of where technology can take us in the next 10 years.

However, Paris was not always the most likely location for such an event in the past. In fact, French expats have been very vocal in stating that startups would be better off launching in London rather than Paris. French billionaire entrepreneur Xavier Niel has defended his city by countering, “We have a perception problem, you don’t need to get on a plane. It can happen here.”

Across Europe, public and private entities are offering cheap working spaces, special visas and even state aid to attract talented innovators to their countries. But some say France’s wealth taxes and complex labor laws may be an inhibitor to progress.   As Paris’s deputy mayor has pointed out, “France has had a horrible reputation among investors. We need to show foreign startups why they should come here.” And the city is doing just that.

Paris’s new startup-hub dubbed Numa is already catching wide media attention and is aiming to attract up to 45,000 visitors and 600 tech start-ups per year. The space is a breeding ground for talent from everyone from students to established entrepreneurs, and has even attracted funding from Google. Billionaire, Xavier Niel is also doing his part to aid in the efforts by helping to finance a $164 million project to convert a warehouse into what is projected to be the world’s largest startup incubator by 2016.

Many hope that these recent bold moves will spur economic growth. The finance ministry estimates that the country’s GDP can increase upto a ½ % just by expanding its startup sector.

There is no doubt that there is a new momentum in France’s start-up scene; and only time will tell if these new platforms will bring lasting economic change. This has been Teri Ham, reporting from Paris, France for TBS eFM.

GlobeTrotter Reporter for TBS eFM 101.3

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Korea’s #1 Foreign Language Radio Station: TBS eFM 101.3

THIS MORNING with host Alex Jensen (Every weekeday from 7:05-9AM)

Producer:  Seul Kim / Writers:  Kyung-mi Choi, So Hyeon Park, Hyoung-Joo Choi

 

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