April 2024 Editorial
Fashion for me is and remains a dream, not just a need.
After many years as a fashion journalist and now as an entrepreneur, I continue to be enchanted watching the fashion shows of the great maisons, which with their clothes tell a story that goes beyond the garments to wear. Fashion represents the narration of the world we live in, the changes in our society, through the style and messages that designers want to convey with their creative work.
Recently, we have been witnessing more and more sudden and inexplicable changes in the direction of brands, from Dries Van Noten retiring to Pier Paolo Piccioli being replaced by Alessandro Michele at the helm of Valentino, small tremors triggered by the needs of the large financial groups that move the world of high fashion, primarily looking at profit logic. And a part of this dream seems to fade away…
At Crida, which is proudly a tiny part of this world, we continue to think of fashion as a world driven not only by money but by the beauty of made in Italy and the possibility of conveying, with our clothes, not only elegance but also a social commitment. That’s why I want to tell you about this new project. Which comes from far away.
There is a place in Africa, in Zimbabwe, called Beitbridge. It is one of the driest areas in the country where the effects of climate change have had dramatic consequences on the local population. I was there with Cesvi on one of the many trips I took with them, one that has remained in my heart. Ten years ago, an orange grove planted by Cesvi in this very poor agricultural region changed the fate of the community. With a skillful use of water through special drip irrigation systems, the small plants grew and bore fruit, bringing money and well-being to the population. And do you know what the most beautiful thing is? The fact that it was the women who committed to this plantation, first working the fields and then gradually becoming entrepreneurs able to help all the families in the area with this business. What does this have to do with fashion?
I am telling you about it today in this editorial because that place, those women I met with their hands in the soil and the little children carried on their backs with a sash, inspired an idea that has become concrete and today has a name. It’s called Acqua, and it is a fashion project born from the meeting between me and Daniela and another woman from Bergamo, Dada Arrigoni, a designer who creates wonderful jewelry. Together we thought of a collaboration dedicated to the female world and with a positive imprint. We wanted to do something that could bring a change, even a small one, in the lives of women.
This is how Acqua was born, an exclusive capsule of Crida dresses and Dada Arrigoni jewelry. 15% of the proceeds from this limited edition, available from April 19 on our website, will be used by Cesvi for the agricultural development project in Zimbabwe, which could extend to other areas and help other women and families fighting against drought and hunger.
Aqua green is the dominant color: a fresh and elegant shade present in the long silk chiffon dress with a silver fil coupé that we made thinking of summer evenings and in the iconic Happy Frog rings and bracelets by Dada Arrigoni. A precious dress but easy to wear on many occasions and special jewelry to match. But above all, a mission entirely for women that aims to raise awareness about the water issue, climate change, and the emergencies that result from it. Water gives life, green gives hope, and fashion for us must always also be the driver of a small positive change. Promoted by three women for African women.
So the dream becomes reality.
Cristina Parodi
To contribute to the project and for information www.cesvi.org
The limited edition of Crida will be on sale online at www.crida.it
The Dada Arrigoni jewelry capsule will be on sale at the maison in Bergamo and selected retailers www.dadaarrigoni.com