Recognizing Earth Month, Anne Klein has forged a partnership with Candice Swanepoel, current brand ambassador, model and founder/chief executive officer of lifestyle brand Tropic of C, and the Harlem-baed social enterprise Custom Collaborative. Together they are going to support, encourage and interact a cohort of 16 women, ranging in age from 25 to 56, from no- to low-income and immigrant communities as they pursue careers within the sustainable fashion industry.

Starting this month, Anne Klein will donate product for the scholars to work with as they learn to stitch, design and sell sustainable fashion. Custom Collaborative will provide the ladies with a 15-week curriculum that features learning to rethink, recycle and reuse fabrics and accessories as they create their custom designs resulting in a July fashion show, sponsored by Anne Klein, featuring the designs produced by the graduates.

“This partnership aligns two essential initiatives for Anne Klein: to uplift and have a good time women who’re positively changing the world through a balance of image and impact,” said Jameel Spencer, chief marketing officer in residence at Anne Klein. “And supports our commitment to and efforts toward a greener, more sustainable future.”

Next month, Anne Klein will host a Lunch & Learn event for the scholars where they’ll meet with and be inspired by a panel of skilled women currently working throughout the fashion industry on sustainable, eco-friendly and eco-centric collections. Along with Swanepoel, those on the panel include Chani Labowitz, senior vice chairman of creative for eGluck, a watch manufacturer (which makes Anne Klein Consider It Watch collection, which is constructed from repurposed oceans plastics); Victoria Yee Howe, a designer, and Ngozi Okaro, executive director and founding father of the Custom Collaborative, which offers training and ongoing support in the style business.