Style: A-Lem by Mafi

Mahlet Afework aka Mafi is a big name in Ethiopian Fashion scene. Her designs are none like others and she is a trail-blazer when it comes to creating modern style with a touch of habesha flairs. I love the fact that she has fun with her designs and doesn't let what is norm in the society limit her creativity. 

Her latest collection A-Lem by Mafi is one of my favorite thus far. I want every single piece! Check some of them out:

All pictures courtesy of @alembymafi

Style: SoleRebels by Betelehem Tilahun Alemu

There is something about hand crafted shoes that just makes you feel uber chic. Few months ago, I was introduced to ShoeRebels, a really awesome shoe line by none other than the super talented and multi award recipient Ms. Betelehem Tilahun Alemu. I've been hooked ever since.  All shoes by SoleRebels are handmade in Ethiopia from recycled and eco-friendly materials. 

The shoes are well crafted and extremely comfortable. They also come in various styles and colors to cater to your liking. Visit  http://www.solerebelsfootwear.co/  to learn more about the founder, the products and the mission of the business. 

While you are there, don't forget to support this incredible line by purchasing a pair. :-)

Style: Designer Fikirte Addis at African Fashion Week New York

The talented young designer and psychologist Fikirte Addis won the Origin Africa Fiber to Fashion Designer Showcase in Mauritius.The win opened doors to Fikirte to bring her designs to African Fashion Week in New York where the big names in African fashion scene showcased their creations. Her designs are all traditional pieces with a modern flair to them. 

Glad to see a fellow Ethiopian representing at AFW and hope to see her work in more bigger stages. To learn more about Fikirte and her work check out her site yefikir design

Style: Traditional Kids Attire

        The Ethiopian New Year brought lots and lots of excitement to this part of the world. We are still in celebratory mode and it will  go on till Saturday. Bringing the halt to the week long celebration with a big community fiesta then we should be good till 2005 rolls in.

       My love for traditional attires have gone over the roof in recent years. I usually get hyped up when I see people with traditional clothes on. But what has truly melted my heart was seeing  kids decked out in their Abesha outfits for the holiday this past weekend. It was such a precious sight. They looked like little angels running around. Their parents would cut me into pieces like a giant roll of injera if I post their kids pictures here so I did a little online search instead to share my excitement with you all.

Doesn't she look like a little princess?

Beauty: A Vibrant Hair Color Straight from Mother nature

My sincere apologies go out to all for being MIA for the last ummmm days. Lately, my life has been quite hectic I barely had time for doing the things I love. Well, now that we are back in action, what do you say if we start by talking about hair? Yes?

Henna has been my best friend for quite sometime now. Growing up, it was the main hair color I've seen the ladies in the family use. I loved their shinny hair after they wash and set their henna processed hair.  The subtlety in the color change (especially if you have a thick dark hair) that it helps to acquire is actually what makes henna more appealing to me. Sometimes, you might not even notice the change in color if you see a henna treated hair in a not so bright room. But as soon as that same lady steps out in the sun, you will definitely notice the glow in her hair. Summer is here... so get your henna and let your hair glooowwww (bad joke!)

 Applying Henna is by no means your everyday easy and clean two step process. It can be quite messy so I recommend doing this over the weekend. Personally, I take the opportunity to deep condition and add a little moisture to my hair. I only use Henna brands labeled for body art (Jamila is my favorite brand). You might try different brands. By the way, if you don't know this already, the black and neutral Henna are not actual Henna. They are derived from either indigo or some other plant and chemical. The actual Henna gives you only burgundy color.

Here are some steps you may follow in preparing and applying henna to your hair:

Style: Casual wear with a traditional flair

     Ever had the urge to wear your traditional outfit to work or school but the fact that none of those you own are work or school "appropriate" (whatever that means) had you holding onto them for that special occasion only? I share your pain. Thank goodness for a certain social media called facebook, recently I have been noticing several family and friends rediscovering the old trend of wearing traditional attire as an everyday look. I was inspired to say the least.

BeTam Chic... Z via facebook

Traditional clothing is the hottest business in Ethiopia. There are several boutiques around the country catering for the ever growing demand. In comparison, there are only few designers that everybody counts on to spice up the monotonic market.

       When it comes to designing traditional cloths, no one does it like Designer Genet Kebede. Her high fasion line, Paradise fashion, is undeniably the most successful and popular line in Ethiopia. Genet has a degree in design and high fashion couture and is a creative mind behind most of the elegant traditional evening wears and bridal cloths we see around today. She knows her craft very well and provides one of a kind custom pieces paying extra attention to quality which has garnered her a huge client base despite the high end price tags. Although she is best known for her elegant party dresses,  Paradise Fashion carries casual pieces as well as swim wears.

Check out some of her casual designs:

Style: Traditional home decor

I am pretty sure it is not just me who fantasizes about having a house or an appartment decked with everrrryyything traditional... from the window treatments to the table cloths, from your bed cloth to your Queen Sheba ceramic collection and to those small bowls aka Taba made from clay... to your pots and spoons. My heart melts with envy whenever I walk in to someone's house or a restaurant decorated with traditional pieces.

source

Beauty: A little skin care regiment by the way of Harar and Dire Dawa

Ever wondered what miracle potion in a jar Adere women use on their skin to get that buttery smooth texture? Well, look no further for an answer...

The women of Harar and Dire dawa are just gorgeous by nature. To maintain what nature has blessed them with, they look back into mother nature herself. In my few months stay at Alemaya, I was lucky enough to discover one of the many little secrets they call 'Kesil (ቀስል)'. The very first time I saw a couple of girls walking around with a green stuff smeared on their faces, I literally freaked out.... big time. I later went out on a hunt after a friend explained to me what it was. Tried it few times eager to get that same clean smooth face as my Harari and Dire girls. I was amazed at how clean my face felt the first time I tried it. Sadly, I left the country soon after and my journey to get the perfect skin was cut short.

I have always contemplated having it shipped to me from back home. That was until I took a little trip to a local Indian mart and stumbled upon a small Indian beauty secret packaged in a yellow and green box.

Style: Inspired or down right theft?

Designer Matthew Williamson
at his Spring/Summer 2008 show

Fashion is often praised for its creativity and introducing something new to the mix; thus, all the hoopla around fashion weeks and shows. This might be  sooooo 2000 and 8 but still worth talking about: Designer Matthew Williamson and the controversy surrounding his Spring/Summer 2008 collection.


The London based famed British designer and his works are popular among celebrities and who is who in fashion. With a big name like that, there is of course a constant pressure to bring something new to the table and do an exquisite show come every season. So how does one stay relevant in this dog eat dog industry? Well, according to Mr. Williamson's action on his Spring/Summer 2008 show: get two blond long legged fresh face models, two dresses straight from an Ethiopian traditional store and let the model strut their way down the runway as if you lost sleep days trying to design the pieces yourself.