SOFFA is a creative tailoring studio founded in 2014 to set a global standard for ethical, sustainable, and circular fashion; offering ready-made garments, upcycling, and zero-waste practices. We support women survivors of human trafficking through vocational training and work integration. Our brand, Wear Your Origins, embodies our commitment to sustainable and inclusive fashion. Experience the future of fashion, in a world where every garment tells a story, and every choice makes a difference.
Operating as the Hellenic Centre on Social Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation since 2013, The Nest SOFFA is legally recognized as a Social Enterprise for Work Integration of Special Needs People under Greek Law. With a shareholder mix comprising 60% of refugees and migrants and 40% of Greek designers and professionals from the fashion industry, our organization is deeply embedded in the community.
The Nest SOFFA's initiatives have received notable recognition, including being showcased as exemplary cases at the prestigious New European Bauhaus Festival in both France and Greece. Building upon the principles of NEB and the EU S+T+ARTS initiative, the organization's micro-manufacturing approach, stands as a prime example of urban garment production. The Wear Your Origins brand is recognized as a focal point by the UNECE Sustainability Pledge Call to Action.
Our innovative functions include:
- SOFFA Sustainable Textiles Catalogue: A database of sustainable textiles with certifications and detailed environmental and usage information.
- Ethical & Inclusive Employment: Vocational training and work integration for women survivors of human trafficking and those at risk of exploitation.
- Production Islands: A human-centred assembly structure that promotes flexibility and recycling.
- Upcycling and Closed-Loop System: Creating new garments from pre-existing materials and encouraging garment recycling and repurposing.
- Traceability and Transparency: Garments featuring QR codes with detailed production process information.
- SOFFA Social Metric Impact Measurement: Assessing social and environmental impact through comprehensive data collection.
- Zero-Waste Design & Manufacturing: Innovative 3D pattern cutting techniques to minimize fabric waste.
- Digital Innovation: Advanced digital and AI tools in design and manufacturing for efficiency and precision.
- Storytelling Capsules: Collaborating with designers and storytellers to create collections celebrating diverse cultural narratives.
These functions help redefine fashion by combining aesthetics with social and environmental responsibility.
Our products cater to a variety of end-uses, including:
- High-Street Brands: Custom-made upcycling collections from unsold items, emphasizing span design aesthetics and collect-back schemes.
- High-End Retailers & Luxury Hotels/Malls: A culturally rich, fully sustainable, and ethical brand with span gender inclusion stories.
- Brands and Designers: Sustainable manufacturing in Europe, offering traceability, high-quality production, and sustainable textile sourcing.
- Conscious Consumers: Ready-made sustainable garments for those prioritizing ethical and eco-friendly fashion.
- Brand Merchandising: Sustainable products for brands emphasizing environmental responsibility.
- Independent High-End Designers: Capsule collections that showcase unique narratives and superior craftsmanship.
- Custom Orders: Flexible Production Islands setup for tailored, small-batch production and specialized upcycling projects.
Instagram: @soffa.gr, @wearyourorigins
LinkedIn: SOFFA - Social Fashion Factory, Wear Your Origins
Website: https://www.soffa.gr/, https://www.wearyourorigins.com/
Our Team
Dr Fiori A Zafeiropoulou
Fiori has been awarded a PHD on social entrepreneurship/innovation from Brunel Business School UK and postDoctoral on “Urban Human-Based Circular Manufacturing & Supply Chains in the Textile and Fashion Industry” from Athens University of Economics & Business(AUEB). She is the Founder of The Nest SOFFA & Fashion Revolution Greece and is managing the projects of ethical and circular fashion in AUEB. She is a global speaker on sustainable fashion and women empowerment. Nominated member of the Green Woman Board Greek Ministry of Energy & Environment by the Minister’s Office on 9 March 2020. Ranked in 100Top Women 2019 by Marie Claire Hellas.
Stefania Karanikolaou
Stefania is currently working as the Production Manager and Assistant Head of Design at SOFFA and Wear Your Origins. She is a proactive and creative Fashion Design and Marketing graduate with expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, LECTRA CAD, pattern cutting, sewing, and sustainable design practices. She has designed high-end collections for startups, managed customer service and e-commerce operations, and collaborated on fashion projects, including a Spring/Summer collection for the British brand "Coast". With certifications in trend forecasting, consumer behavior, and textile techniques, Stefania combines technical expertise with marketing acumen, research proficiency, and strong organizational skills. Fluent in Greek, English, and German, she is passionate about sustainability and thrives in team-oriented environments, consistently delivering innovative and market-relevant designs.
Silvia Bracaj
Sylvia is a fashion school graduate and a self taught upcycling tailor. She grew up sewing very little and at the age of 17 got into fashion after learning about the environmental impact it has.
Katia Trakada
Katia brings a diverse background in fashion, sustainability, and health policy. She holds an MA in Fashion Journalism and Communication from the London College of Fashion, where she graduated with Distinction, focusing on sustainable fashion concepts. Additionally, she earned an MSc in Health Policy and Economics from the London School of Economics and a BSc in Health Services Management from the Technological Educational Institution of Greece, both with high honors. Before moving to the fashion industry, she performed research for Cancer Research UK and the Institute of Psychiatry in King’s College.
Katia has over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry, working in branding, project management, and communication strategy for a range of fashion and lifestyle brands. She has consulted for well-known Greek labels and international brands, directed e-commerce projects, and led digital marketing initiatives. Katia also served as a lecturer, teaching topics related to sustainability in fashion, ethical fashion, and trend forecasting at various fashion schools, including the Fashion Workshop by Vicky Kaya and BCA College in Athens.
Notably, she was awarded the UNILEVER prize for her innovative work in sustainable fashion. Katia’s expertise spans from academic research and publishing to hands-on fashion consulting, making her a valuable addition to the team as the Director of Research & Impact Programs.