The weaker sex? Not at all! Women are strong – and now they stick together all the more. That is why Vero Moda supports women in Uganda in setting up their own business. Elena Carrière was on site as a Vero Moda ambassador.
FACES: Can you explain the Vero Moda and Caïo collaboration?
Elena Carrière: I am delighted to be the face of the campaign and to be able to attract attention. My main task is to sensitize people to the issues of the campaign. It is important that people in Germany learn about what is happening in Uganda and in so many other places around the world. As many people can identify with what I do, I am ideally placed to be an official “supporter” and ambassador for the project. The project in Uganda, which Vero Moda supports, is about giving women from the poorest areas of northern Uganda the opportunity to lead a self-determined life by starting their own business and taking their future into their own hands. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this project. The trip to Uganda to the heart of the Caïo project was simply indescribable.
F: You were in Uganda for Vero Moda. What is the most memorable moment from this trip?
EC: I was particularly impressed by the perseverance and determination of the women and children. Despite their difficult living conditions, they are always motivated and have a positive outlook on life.
F: What encounter in particular got you thinking?
EC: All the encounters on site were absolutely moving and very emotional for me. I took a lot from it for myself.
F: How do you understand women empowerment?
EC: I want women to have more courage to speak out about their views on things. Too often great, inspiring, smart, talented women are drowned out by dominant men and made to feel like they are not equal. They should not lose faith in themselves, as they can achieve so much more than they can imagine! In my eyes, that is women empowerment – always supporting each other!
F: How can we support women in the developing world?
EC: Women in Uganda are definitely still very inferior to men due to their culture. They take care of absolutely everything – from child-rearing and harvesting to household chores, water supply and meal preparation. Men either work (but only rarely) or drink away the little money their families have… Women do not have the same education, let alone the same job opportunities as men. Thanks to our attention and support and the possibilities offered by the Caïo project, we are able to help the women on their way.
F: Vero Moda launches a capsule collection for Women’s Day 2020. What is so special about it?
EC: 100 percent of the proceeds from the collection will go to the Caïo organization. And of course the fabrics and materials are 100 percent sustainable!
F: Which woman is your role model and why?
EC: My role models are my mother, my manager and my father’s girlfriend. All extremely strong and self-confident women in different ways, through them I learn perseverance, to stand up for myself and that every woman is different and wonderful.
F: How do you define a strong woman?
EC: Exactly! Strong, self-confident, who doesn’t let herself be beaten down, but still has a respectful and charismatic manner.
F: How do you support friends and women around you?
EC: I don’t actually have that many girlfriends, but when I meet someone new, I always try to make her feel safe. Shining a light on the beautiful sides of other women is usually a wonderful step in itself.
F: As a woman, what support do you want and from whom?
EC: I think it’s great when my boys’ group is happy for me when things are going well for me. I know that they are 100 percent honest because we have been friends for decades.
F: What are you better at than others, and what do you still need help with?
EC: I think I’m good at approaching people and giving them a feeling of closeness. I definitely need help with discipline and making decisions!
F: What would you change if you had the power?
EC: That more women worldwide have a say and can have a say. On average, the world would be a much more peaceful place with less radicalism and aggression.
F: How do you live sustainability?
EC: Every day in my everyday life, I make sure that I do small things better as far as I can. Whether it’s avoiding plastic, shopping at a market, avoiding a lot of packaging or reusing it, but of course also donating to my favorite organizations and supporting them wherever possible. I am also vegan and organic in my diet.
F: Where do you come up against the limits of sustainability in your everyday life?
EC: Because of my job, it is of course difficult to make compromises. However, I haven’t traveled domestically by plane for many months now.
F: How do you make the world a better place?
EC: I just try to change one small thing for the better every day so that I can perhaps become a better person one day.
F: What is the best thing about public life and what is the downside?
EC: The community with which you exchange ideas is definitely the best thing. There are downsides, of course. Especially when it comes to pressure from the industry and privacy. The boundaries between work and private life often simply become blurred.
F: What are you proud of?
EC: I’m proud of the inspiration I can bring to the outside world, and if I manage to successfully convey positive values, that’s good! In terms of self-love, nutrition, woman power, love for nature and his fellow human beings.
F: What is your favorite outfit?
EC: I don’t have one. But my favorite clothes are cashmere turtlenecks and sweatpants!
F: What does detox mean to you?
EC: Detox means cell phone away, beach and sun, fruit and vegetables, yoga and meditation.
F: Do you have a secret passion?
EC: If yes, then it would be secret. (laughs) But my well-known passions are cooking and baking.
F: If you were a superhero, what superpower would you have?
EC: I always wanted to be able to beam. Just like that from A to B. That would also save a lot of CO2. (laughs) I also think it would be great to be able to localize things easily, because I lose things all the time.
F: What adventure do you dream of?
EC: I believe that life itself is an adventure. I dream of living it to the full and with relish – down to the smallest detail.
