I am not a great fan of virtual social networks –although I do believe real ones deliver wonderful and inspiring input to the world. However, I must admit Facebook just landed a great surprise on my screen this morning. I heard about bíbico, a cute, fair trade, designer-led brand, from one of my fashion students months ago. ‘It’s run by a Spanish designer and based in the UK!’ he said proudly. I remember surfing around bíbico’s site, while searching for some new companies going for ethical fashion. The name Nieves Ruiz, bíbico’s soul and founder, didn’t tell me much until today, when I heard from a common childhood friend that she is actually one of our old mates at the little alternative school we studied at in Santander, a peaceful coast town in the north of Spain. I have not seen Nieves since my brother birthday parties about 20 years ago, but I am somehow moved by the fact that we’re both working for a fairer fashion scene, that we both strongly believe in change, that we both shared quite a progressive education system at primary school and that, after all, this might have something to do with our common grounds. Facebook helped us re-contact and I certainly hope fashion and change bring us together again soon.
