For me, enabling and educating people, giving them jobs and making them independent is a sustainable way of doing aid.” “In philanthropy, there’s always this issue of making something sustainable. “Lemlem is about the human element of sustainability,” explains Kebede over Zoom, still as radiant as when she started modelling at the age of 18. The UN ambassador and maternal health advocate’s craft-focused business model can be seen as a lesson in sustainability – one that is spoken about less frequently than eco-friendly textile innovations and circularity initiatives. Community is at the core of Lemlem and it was crucial that this was reflected in the H&M collaboration. Kebede is working with H&M on ways the high-street giant can benefit the Lemlem Foundation. By employing traditional weavers and breaking their cycle of poverty – the once thriving industry creating custom habesha kemis garments suffered as young Africans turned to modern imported fashion – Kebede has reinvigorated a community, and kept an important element of the culture of Addis Ababa, where she was born. Liya Kebede has been quietly working to preserve the art of weaving in her native Ethiopia since she founded her artisanal brand Lemlem, which means “to bloom” and “flourish” in Amharic, in 2007. Liya Kebede & Her Daughter Bring A Touch Of Ethiopia’s Artisanship To H&M Liya Kebede says working with her daughter was wonderfully emotional and a proud moment in her career.
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