Behind the Brand
lemlem
Model, actress, and women's health advocate Liya Kebede is the Creative Director behind lemlem, a line of easy cotton cover-ups and caftans hand-woven by local artisans in her native Ethiopia. In celebration of her exclusive launch on Maisonette, we chat with Liya about the collection and motherhood.
- Written By
- Alexandra Willkie Pasanen
What led you to launch lemlem in 2007?
Lemlem was founded as solution to a problem: the weaver community in my hometown of Addis Ababa (the capital of Ethiopia) was struggling to find work and I wanted to make sure they had a market for their beautiful craftsmanship.
We actually started as a children’s line, so for us, creating this collection is really going back to the beginnings of our brand.
Sales from your line benefit the lemlem foundation. Tell us a little about your organization's mission.
What originally started as a way to give these weavers a market has evolved into so much more. We want to influence the way the fashion industry perceives Africa. It is often seen as a destination for low cost manufacturing but we want it to be a source for highly skilled artisans and ateliers that can create for the luxury market.
Lemlem was founded as solution to a problem: the weaver community in my hometown of Addis Ababa (the capital of Ethiopia) was struggling to find work and I wanted to make sure they had a market for their beautiful craftsmanship.
We actually started as a children’s line, so for us, creating this collection is really going back to the beginnings of our brand.
Sales from your line benefit the lemlem foundation. Tell us a little about your organization's mission.
What originally started as a way to give these weavers a market has evolved into so much more. We want to influence the way the fashion industry perceives Africa. It is often seen as a destination for low cost manufacturing but we want it to be a source for highly skilled artisans and ateliers that can create for the luxury market.
You have two children. How do they inspire your work?
When I started lemlem, my children were still young, and I always loved picking clothes out for them. Adding in the bonus of choosing beautiful, hand-woven garments made by artisans from my country made the pieces even more special.
What are some Mother's Day traditions you follow?
My kids usually make me breakfast in bed or cook me dinner. It’s something I look forward to every year.
When I started lemlem, my children were still young, and I always loved picking clothes out for them. Adding in the bonus of choosing beautiful, hand-woven garments made by artisans from my country made the pieces even more special.
What are some Mother's Day traditions you follow?
My kids usually make me breakfast in bed or cook me dinner. It’s something I look forward to every year.
What has motherhood taught you, and what do you love most?
Motherhood is a constant learning curve. There’s always something new. It’s been the toughest, but also the best role in my life. My kids and I have so much fun together. They make me laugh. I love seeing the people they are becoming.
One thing you learned from your own parents?
My parents always emphasized the importance of helping others. It's something I try to instill in my own.
Motherhood is a constant learning curve. There’s always something new. It’s been the toughest, but also the best role in my life. My kids and I have so much fun together. They make me laugh. I love seeing the people they are becoming.
One thing you learned from your own parents?
My parents always emphasized the importance of helping others. It's something I try to instill in my own.
