Prada Group and UNFPA Expand Their Fashion Training Program in Mexico

a woman sewing

(Image credit: Courtesy of Prada)

Prada Group's latest partnership is not with an A-list celebrity or a world-famous athletic brand, but that doesn't make it any less noteworthy. This week, the company announced the next phase of its cooperation with UNFPA, the United Nations' sexual and reproductive health agency. Called “Fashion Expressions: the Stories She Wears,” the joint program, now in its third edition, uses fashion as a catalyst for empowering women. It aims to develop their skills so they can achieve economic independence, help prevent gender-based violence, and provide access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. The 2025 version will involve 46 female artisans from Querétaro, Mexico.

Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group's Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, explained the program's importance in a statement: "We are honored to partner with UNFPA for the third consecutive year to bring this cultural program to life, where fashion serves as a vehicle for hope, independence, and empowerment—both for individuals and their communities." Additionally, a statement from Mariarosa Cutillo, UNFPA Private Sector and Civil Society Branch Chief, highlighted the impetus behind the project: "Women are the backbone of the fashion and garment industry," she emphasized. The program run will from April 2025 to February 2026.

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Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 14 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Kate and Meghan stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible.