EMPOWERMENT STUDIO

Empowerment Studio is an independent fashion label based in Kabwe, Zambia, founded in 2022 by Austrian designer Pia Hintz.

The studio develops one concept-driven collection each year, translating lived Zambian experiences into contemporary fashion through craftsmanship, storytelling and thoughtful garment construction.

Beyond fashion, the studio exists to create long-term opportunities for women in the local community. Every collection is designed and produced in-house by a growing team of Zambian artisans, combining high-quality craftsmanship with vocational training, fair employment and creative development.

All profits generated by the label are reinvested into education, vocational training and community development projects. Through fashion, Empowerment Studio seeks to build an internationally recognised platform that brings both contemporary Zambian design and the stories of the women behind it to a global audience.

Ultimately, the label seeks to broaden international perceptions of Zambia—from a country too often associated primarily with aid to one recognised for its creativity, craftsmanship and the cultural wealth that emerges from strong communities, resilience and human connection.