EDUN was launched in Spring 2005 by Ali Hewson and her husband, U2 singer Bono as a for-profit fashion brand with a mission to encourage trade with Africa and raise awareness of the possibilities there.
Since its founding in 2007, Edun Live has produced 700,000 African-made T-shirts. It’s what Hewson calls a “100 percent African grow-to-sew initiative. [1]
In 2008, together with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Invisible Children Edun set up the Conservation Cotton Initiative Uganda (CCIU). CCIU enables Edun to affect change at the start of the supply chain and Edun Live primarily uses CCIU cotton. [2]
In May 2009 luxury group LVMH bought a 49% stake in the company.[3] Following LVMH's investment in the brand, Edun appointed a new creative director, Sharon Wauchob.[4]
In 2010, Ali Hewson and Bono appear wearing EDUN in a Louis Vuitton campaign, shot by photographer Annie Leibovitz in Africa.[5]
Edun aims to produce 40% of its collection in Africa by 2013. [6]
Founder Ali Hewson said in March 2011, "There is a misconception that we moved business out of Africa. We didn’t. We’re now working in eight factories in Africa whereas this time last year we were in two. We’ve actually grown our Edun business in Africa and by 2013, it will be up to 40%".[7]
In Spring 2005 Edun was launched as a for-profit fashion brand to raise awareness of the possibilities in Africa and encourage the industry to do business there. [8]