LVRSustainable is proud to introduce the brand lemlem to our sustainable collection. Founded by former model and now designer and activist, Liya Kebede, lemlem creates artisan-driven collections focusing on gorgeous summer ready pieces with a conscious mission. lemlem translates to flourish and bloom in Ethiopian and this is what Liya wanted for the lost art of weaving from the area. The collections are woven within the local communities.
The brand is committed to women’s empowerment by helping them thrive both within its workshops and beyond through its support for the lemlem Foundation.
The brand has found in fashion a means to focus on African women’s empowerment by being involved in special projects that promote an eco-friendly, ethical trade, and luxury craftsmanship production mode. Meet the brand making a difference one piece at a time. We speak with Liya Kebede on her sustainable brand and women’s empowerment. Scroll down to enjoy the interview.
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Why did you start supporting sustainable fashion?
I started my brand, lemlem, to help address a sustainability challenge in my home country of Ethiopia. Traditional weavers, who had a long history making the clothes Ethiopians wear, were losing their livelihood as the fast fashion trend hit – and a beautiful, cultural art from was being lost. My goal was to create a sustainable alternative – bring the weaver’s beautiful craftsmanship to the global market through lemlem, while preserving the art of weaving and creating weaving jobs.
How do you think sustainable fashion can improve people’s lifestyles?
In our case at lemlem, it’s my proudest achievement that we’ve been able to help create hundreds of artisan jobs. This is helping to break the cycle of poverty for artisan families. And I think there are so many opportunities like this for the fashion industry to help drive change.
What goal should be achieved to shift the fashion industry towards sustainability?
It’s already shifting. At lemlem we’ve recently paired with H&M on a collaboration centered around sustainability. We worked through a deliberate thought process together in making design, supply and production choices. Collaborations like this are one way we get to know one another, learn and push each other to drive positive and far-reaching changes.
How do you encourage people to make the right choices that involve sustainability?
Sharing the story of the wonderful men and women who make lemlem is one way we try to engage people to learn more about how fashion is made and think about sustainability holistically: social, cultural, economic as well as environmental dimensions.
Given your acknowledged social commitment to human rights, what changes should be do about gender equality in the fashion corporate industry?
Work together to create better opportunities at all levels. One of the ways we’re working to empower women in lemlem’s value chain is through an artisan training initiative run by lemlem Foundation that helps more women in Africa access training and on-the-job experience so they can begin building a good livelihood in fashion.
A very special thank you to Liya Kebede.
