The Human Capital and Social Impact Award was presented to Saheli Women, the non-profit social enterprise founded by Madhu Vaishnav in Bhikamkor, Rajasthan, to empower local women to become primary earners through skills development, fair wages, health insurance and a safe working environment. Saheli Women now employs over 100 artisans across two centres and collaborates with more than 60 fashion brands globally. “The Human Capital and Social Impact Award shines a light on those who place people at the heart of their strategy, turning fashion into a tool for change,” said awards host American actress Shailene Woodley.

“I’m so honored to be here tonight amongst artists, creators, innovators and dreamers like yourselves,” said Vaishnav. “At the same time, it’s a great responsibility to uphold the extraordinary legacy that Giorgio Armani has entrusted to us all. We’re here tonight united by one belief. When fashion embraces responsibility, it gains the power to inspire.”

Saheli Women, a non-profit social enterprise founded by Madhu Vaishnav, was presented the Human Capital and Social Impact Award.

Photo: Alfonso Catalano

The Circular Economy Award was presented to Regenesi, an Italian brand that transforms post-consumer waste materials such as aluminum, glass, plastic, leather and cardboard into bags, clothing and household items. And the Climate Action Award was given to The Schneider Group, which ethically sources, processes and supplies high-quality wool, cashmere, vicuna and other noble animal fibres. They were presented the award by Paola Deda, chairperson of the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion, for “their commitment to turning their clients’ natural fibres into a symbol for integrity, responsibility and preservation”.

The Bicester Collection Award for Emerging Designers was presented to Sake, a regenerative fashion project founded by Colombian designer Ana Tafur, which focuses on co-creating with Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Andes and Amazon to preserve ancestral knowledge and build regenerative economies.

The Sustainable Fashion Awards, originally launched in 2017, are today organised by CNMI in collaboration with the UN Alliance for Sustainable Fashion and with support from the Municipality of Milan.

The full list of winners:

Legacy Award: Giorgio Armani

The SFA Craft and Artisanship Award: Tod’s

The SFA Groundbreaker Award: Aura Blockchain Consortium

The SFA Diversity and Inclusion Award: Willy Chavarria

The SFA Circular Economy Award: Regenesi

The SFA Climate Action Award: The Schneider Group

The SFA Biodiversity and Water Award: Ermenegildo Zegna

The SFA Human Capital and Social Impact Award: Saheli Woman

The Bicester Collection Award for Emerging Designers: Sake

The SFA Education of Excellence Award: Kiton

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