Tales
We aim to blend storytelling with fashion to showcase the personal journeys of our migrant participants,
raising public awareness of the positive contributions migration brings to European society.
The Collection
The texTALES Collection is born in social tailoring ateliers across Europe, where migrants, refugees, and local artisans collaborate in an open creative process. Each outfit grows through exchange — of techniques, memories, and imagination. Stitch by stitch, participants transform individual stories into collective art, using fashion as a language of connection.
Exhibition
Three cities will host exclusive one-day events to officially launch The Narrating Clothes Collection. These events will feature itinerant fashion shows and a captivating pop-up exhibition, showcasing the personal stories and handcrafted creations that bring them to life. The space will be transformed into a powerful visual and emotional journey, symbolizing the experiences of migrants and their inspiring paths toward inclusion.
The Project
texTALES brings together ethical fashion and human stories to support the social inclusion of migrants. Through collaborative tailoring workshops around Europe, migrants and professional tailors craft a sustainable collection where every garment becomes a canvas for personal journeys and shared resilience.
Key Objectives:
- Promoting Social and Professional Integration: Empowering migrants with skills and opportunities to enter the labor market and integrate into society.
- Transforming the Narrative on Migration: Highlighting migrants’ positive contributions through powerful personal stories and creative expression.
- Advocating for Sustainable Fashion: Demonstrating the environmental and social benefits of ethical practices in the fashion industry.
The project aligns with the EU’s objectives of fostering social inclusion and sustainability. By building partnerships in Italy, France, and Greece, texTALES creates a lasting impact both locally and across Europe. The initiative further supports sustainability by using recycled materials, addressing environmental challenges alongside social ones. Co-financed by the European Commission, texTALES is a blueprint for innovative, transnational collaboration.
FIND OUT THE “VADEMECUM FOR EFFECTIVE MIGRANTS’ SOCIAL INCLUSION PATHS” HERE.
The Partnership:
texTALES addresses the need for a collaborative EU network of social tailoring labs, leveraging fashion as a powerful medium for social inclusion and creativity. Through transnational cooperation, the project enhances the co-creation and design capabilities of participating organizations, promoting the integration of migrants into both the labor market and the broader community.
The partnership unites key players from four EU countries, each bringing unique expertise:
- Three partners specialized in social inclusion and operate social tailoring labs: Dress Again (IT), ESPERO (FR) and ANKAA Project (GR).
- One partner focuses on storytelling, raising awareness of sensitive social and geopolitical issues: War Childhood Museum (BIH).
Together, they drive a shared mission: using fashion and storytelling to create a more inclusive and sustainable Europe.
Dress Again (Italy)
Established in 1991, Farsi Prossimo has been at the forefront of social inclusion initiatives, with a strong focus on supporting migrants. In 2016, the organization launched Dress Again, a social tailoring atelier that brings together skilled seamstresses, migrants, and women in need to create handmade and upcycled clothing. In addition to offering tailoring services to the community, Dress Again operates as a second-hand and vintage shop, promoting responsible and sustainable purchasing. Farsi Prossimo is project’s lead partner.
Espero France (France)
Founded in 2016, Espero tackles social and environmental challenges by offering ethical fashion training in its Paris sewing studios. Migrants collaborate with professional tailors, refining their skills while creating unique collections from deadstock fabrics. By promoting socio-professional integration, Espero empowers individuals to build sustainable careers in the fashion industry. Beyond skill development, Espero plays a vital role in raising awareness about the environmental consequences of fast fashion, advocating for a more responsible and sustainable approach to clothing production and consumption.
ANKAA PROJECT MKO (Greece)
Since 2017, ANKAA has been dedicated to supporting migrants by offering upskilling opportunities, with a strong focus on ethical fashion. Through its innovative social enterprise, ANKAA transforms upcycled materials—such as plastic salvaged from migrant boats—into unique, sustainable clothing. This initiative not only empowers individuals with valuable skills but also highlights the potential of creative solutions to address social and environmental challenges.
Stichting The War Childhood Museum (Netherlands)
WCM is a globally recognized NGO with branches in Sarajevo, Kyiv, and New York, dedicated to sharing the experiences of children affected by war. Through compelling storytelling and powerful exhibitions, WCM sheds light on their journeys, preserving a collection of over 5,000 personal objects and testimonies. Renowned for its award-winning storytelling expertise, WCM continues to raise awareness and foster empathy on a global scale.
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