Yodit Eklund, who spent her childhood in many different parts of Africa including Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Sudan has grown up surrounded by African beach culture. For many people who do not come from Africa think of the continent, the first things that come to mind are poverty, devastation, and disease. Eklund wants to change that in a fashionable, socially conscious way. In her efforts, she created and founded Bantu, a swimwear collection produced in Africa which gives jobs to Africans and helps to boost their economy. After studying environmental economics and constantly celebrating Africa’s beach culture in her own life, Eklund wanted to spread that joy to the rest of the world and create fashion with a conscience. She uses traditional tie-dye and wax fabrics to create board shorts and string bikinis that can be worn on the shores of the Ivory Coast all the way to the beaches in Los Angeles. Yodit Eklund said this is a new way to make a difference, “You don’t have to buy an ugly T-shirt where some of the proceeds go to one cause or another. There are amazing products out there that are stylish and cool that really can change and improve the lives of others and even our own lives.”
Source: Take Part