Ethiopian Fashion: Designer Mafi wins Creative Futures’ competition

Mafi, one of Ethiopia’s most recognized designers won a contest organized by Creative Futures. Known to work with exclusively hand woven fabrics, Mafi as a winner of the competition will be showcasing her work at the Hub of Africa 2017, an event that showcases the works of well know as well as up and coming fashion designers, that is set to be held in October.

The competition was juried by Waridi Schrobsdorff, Founder and CEO Fashion Africa 254, Sara Maino, Senior Editor Vogue Italia and Head of Vogue Talents and Julia Sattler, Director Goethe-Institut Addis Abeba.

Mafi’s ability to use only traditional materials while at the same time making it appeal to the modern women and the fact that she has already developed her own signature for her work is one of the reasons she won the contest.

“Mafi’s interpretation of African tradition and colors is transformed in a modern vision that can be worn daily,” Sara Maino, Senior Editor Vogue Italia and Head of Vogue Talents. Director of the Goethe-Institut Addis Ababa also stated that “Our aim is to connect people. Mafi and an international buyer – we are excited to see where this combination will lead us to.”

Mafi creates clothing and accessories which are fresh and cutting-edge and at the same time very wearable. Working with hand-woven fabrics is a way for Mafi to give back and to support women weavers who are often marginalized within the male-dominated weaving community.

The connection between hand-woven fabrics and Ethiopian culture and history is something Mafi explores in her work. Culture and tradition can sometimes become as essential and as invisible as air. Pushing herself creatively Mafi produces contemporary pieces with ancient fabrics, giving visibility to the diversity and depth of Ethiopian culture and tradition.

Source: Capital Ethiopia