Nino Goderidze’s passion for fabrics and crafting as a child laid the foundation for her experimental fashion brand, God Era, which explores identity, trauma, and transformation. Since launching the brand in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nino has focused on the queer body and experiences of minorities, using innovative approaches such as creating vegan leather from kombucha. Despite facing skepticism and limited resources in Georgia’s small fashion ecosystem, she embraced experimentation, which shaped her distinctive aesthetic and approach.
God Era is recognized for blending ethical production, unisex aesthetics, upcycled materials, and storytelling. Nino draws inspiration from women, especially rural artisans, and collaborates with them to preserve traditional crafts while empowering communities. Her collections, such as the flower series, reflect strength, care, and layered complexity, merging artistry with social consciousness. Fashion, for Nino, is a political act that challenges societal taboos and examines gender through design.
Participation in initiatives like Diversity Venture, supported by UNDP and Norway, has provided Nino with mentorship, visibility, and resources, helping her brand gain international recognition. God Era now ships collections globally, demonstrating that authenticity and meaningful storytelling can resonate across borders. Nino continues to experiment, learn, and expand God Era’s vision, emphasizing inclusivity, ethical practice, and the lasting impact of design.
Her journey mirrors broader trends in Georgia’s entrepreneurial landscape, where small and medium-sized enterprises are driving job creation, economic growth, and export expansion. The apparel sector, in particular, has seen a 19 percent increase in value-added between 2017 and 2023, fueled by innovation, distinctive design, and access to international markets. However, challenges remain, including high logistics costs, financing barriers, and limited access to professional expertise.
UNDP and partner initiatives are addressing these challenges by supporting creative entrepreneurs, women-led startups, refugee-owned businesses, and minority entrepreneurs through programs like the Women Entrepreneurs Development Programme, Diversity Venture, and ENPARD. These initiatives provide training, mentoring, funding, and market access, helping entrepreneurs scale sustainably and contribute to Georgia’s inclusive economic growth. Collectively, these efforts highlight the importance of empowering diverse entrepreneurs to unlock the country’s innovative potential and foster a more equitable, resilient economy.
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