Lem Lem Women

Model and actress Liya Kebede added "designer" to her list of jobs in 2007. This renaissance woman is the mastermind behind lemlem, which means "to blossom" in Aramaic. Deeply attached to her home country of Ethiopia, here the founder centers traditional weaving techniques and artisanal production in order to encourage the emergence of thriving small businesses in the country. lemlem is indeed an important actor in African creation, thanks to its dedication to preserving and transmitting the beauty of its culture and customs. "The idea is to really have a ‘made in Africa brand,' and I wanted to be able to reach out to all the other places that have amazing artisans or a great setup where we can make things," Kebede explained to W magazine. Women's rights are at the foundation of the label's values, and 5% of the company's revenue is reinvested in the lemlem Foundation, a not-for-profit association supporting women's independence. In 2015 the brand opened a production center in Kenya, where the materials and prints fabricated act as a splendid finishing touch for the already-stunning collections. Made by hand from locally-harvested cotton, featuring gorgeous embroidery and technique, this label's airy pieces sit at the intersection of ethics, comfort, and style. The breezy caftans, bohemian dresses, jersey rompers and silk summer shawls have already made fans of influencers like Leandra Medine and Eva Chen, both of whom have featured the brand on their Instagram. Rich in history and profoundly authentic, lemlem's designs incorporate strong graphic elements like stripes and color, offering diverse collections in which there's something for everyone.