#Sispreneur – LAVICI: Establish an Eco-Friendly Fashion Industry

Dear Great Ladies,

I am thankful for having me in this opportunity. Let me introduce myself. My name is Viralea Hediana. As a social entrepreneur in Jakarta who has an interest in the fashion sector, I notice the development of the fashion industry as one of the contributors to the deteriorating environmental conditions because they still use hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing process. Alongside being dangerous for the natural environment, it turns out that the danger is also lurking around the workers. Accordingly, I thought about building an eco-friendly and safe fashion ecosystem for the makers. I finally started this fashion business about three years ago.

I founded my own brand, LAVICI. Here's the implementation in our business. I engage the clothing craftsmen to collaborate to produce the clothes. Nevertheless, at LAVICI, clothes will be made based upon requests from consumers thus there is transparency between consumers and craftsmen, regarding the process of making the clothes. Our objectives are the clothes that have been produced be accordance with the consumers' require, will prosper having a high quality and lasting design. It reduce the excess supply of modes that risk ending up in the landfill. We employ craftsmen at reasonable prices with good quality production, because we sell them at reasonable prices to appreciate the process. This means that the artisanal skills of artisans are protected and valued, ensuring their survival for generations to come. Hand – made products will generally be higher in cost than factory – made products since they have different motivation. Factory products prioritize quantity, whereas handmade products prioritize quality and are more personal.

In my business journey, as far as I'm concerned that I have to improve myself consistently. By participating in the W20 Programme, having no doubt if the programme will give new perspectives and tools for work, professional development, and personal growth. By joining the Sispreneur Programme, I also might get experiences, perspectives, and skills by learning my mentor's experiences as well. It is a goal – oriented way to develop my own performances and competences. I also believe that I shall reach my full potential. Hopefully, I will gain practical advice, encouragement and support from this Sispreneur Programme as well as increasing my social and academic confidence. Furthermore I also expect myself to become more empowered to make decisions. Something that I sure I will get is development of my communication, study and personal skills. Many develop strategies for dealing with both personal and academic issues are also my consideration. Identify goals & establish a sense of direction also are something I wish get from this programme. Moreover I also believe that participating in this programme will expand my network in such a manner that in the future I am able to open up other opportunities, such as collaborating with #sispreneurs or even with mentors.

The last but not least, if I earn the money from this competition, I will pay out this grant for develop materials used in sustainable fashion. By means of this, the fabric that will be used, is the fabric that we make ourselves. In the future, we will also develop other environmentally friendly materials such as eco – cotton and other eco – friendly materials.

Wishing all the best,

Viralea Hediana