CREATIVE DNA : ETHIOPIA – SUPPORTING ETHIOPIAN FASHION ENTERPRISES
ADDIS ABABA, 10 MARCH 2023 The British Council Arts Programme in collaboration with Creative Hub Ethiopia, Fashion Scout (UK), and Marigat Gold (Kenya) has announced its latest initiative, Creative DNA : Ethiopia, which aims to support early-stage fashion and accessory enterprises in Ethiopia. An open call was out inviting creatives to submit an application and we received 150 applications out of those ten Ethiopian-based early-stage fashion and accessory enterprises were selected to be part of the Creative DNA : Ethiopia Programme. The Programme provides business incubation support to the selected designers, offering them the opportunity to develop their business skills, strengthen their networks, and gain market opportunities in Ethiopia and the UK.
Creative DNA : Ethiopia is part of the SSA Arts Creative Economy Programme, which supports the creation of new art and fosters partnerships between the creative sectors of the UK and East Africa. The Programme is committed to promoting innovation, creativity, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
“We are excited to launch Creative DNA : Ethiopia. We believe that this Programme provides valuable support to early-stage fashion and accessory enterprises in Ethiopia, promoting innovation and creativity while fostering partnerships between the UK and East Africa.“
Temesgen Feseha, Manager of Creative Hub Ethiopia
“The Creative DNA Programme is essential to the African fashion ecosystem. Besides providing support to young fashion enterprises through its business incubator, it helps to unlock the potential of a continent rich in creativity and talent, and gives voice to a new generation of designers who can shape the narrative of African fashion for years to come.” – Silvia Tonui, Director, Marigat Gold
The fashion enterprises will participate in digital coaching sessions, co-create online campaigns, and receive market opportunities, all designed to promote alternative and innovative approaches to the global fashion system. The Programme is committed to demonstrating that the fashion sector in Ethiopia is a professional choice for young people and a valuable contributor to the creative economy.
“Fashion Scout is delighted to be the UK partner for Creative DNA: Ethiopia. The quality of designers that have applied has been of the highest level. As one of the world’s leading fashion platforms, we have long admired the fashion talents in Ethiopia and look forward to working with them in building sustainable businesses. Our team of experts will offer them an international approach that has proven successful in other countries around the globe.” – Martyn Roberts, Creative Director, Fashion Scout
DESIGNERS PARTICIPATING IN THE CREATIVE DNA : ETHIOPIA
Yonael Marga: A slow-fashion brand based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, specializing in custom-made, and conceptual art production, where cultures are re-interpreted in the contemporary context, and the ‘visual intersectionality’ that exists between cultures is emphasized.
Afthoro: A brand inspired by the Arsi Oromo Culture. The design concept came from cultural items such as butter and meal pots made of bamboo and leather containers used in the earlier ‘80s.
Afropian: A play on words between Ethiopian and African, Afropian is a lifestyle brand based in Addis Ababa which focuses on telling a story of African excellence, by Africans for the world.
Though it is strongly centered on Ethiopia, it is a journey across the whole continent and its History.
Tibebu Collection: Tibebu, meaning: wisdom, art, creative in Amharic, is a creative design studio established in December 2019. Tibebu aspires to fuse the modern and traditional experiences of society. Inspired by the authentic Ethiopian culture, we also experiment with various cultures around the world which inspired our insight.
Dann Ltd is a streetwear brand to satisfy every age group that loves streetwear and casual style while changing the way streetwear is viewed in Ethiopia. Dann works hard in giving its targets different, fresh, and uniquely made outfits.
SARAH Clothing is all about creation, imagination, experiments, limited editions, colors, confidence, uniqueness, fashion, outstandings, humbleness, and a lot more. Our goal is to enhance, innovate, and provide the best quality products to our customers and make a difference through the stories told in and by the products and through our branding by creating awareness that fashion is for everyone.
Natanem Couture is where elegance meets style. We design and manufacture fashionable wear to your specific requirements. Every cloth is made with carefully selected garments and with authentic storytelling embroidery. Every attire is only your own!
RAHWA is an Ethical Fashion Brand, founded by Rahwa Zeru in 2018. Our designs are inspired by bringing timeless looks to the products through our great attention to detail and by taking a minimalistic, modern approach to traditionally known hand-loomed cotton fabrics.
TEYMNATION: A brand created for a daring soul. I named it TEYMNATION to describe what is ‘me’ (Teym) and what is my creative ownership (my nation) developed to label the place where I have full creative authority to do what I am inspired by, through fashion and don’t have to follow the rules and principles set by any other as opposed to the other aspects of my life I had no say in.
Zemenay: is a plus-size brand that’s the first of its kind in Ethiopia. It’s a brand that works in promoting body positivity, Sustainability, and creativity through its storytelling pieces made to flatter different bodies.
About The British Council :
The British Council is the United Kingdom (UK)’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange to nurture creative enterprise programmes that are underpinned by research, focused on young people (18–35-year-olds) via three programmatic areas which are Creative Economy, Cultural Exchange, and Cultural Heritage. We support Arts and cultural organisations to raise their profile, show case their arts and increase their economic value and their partnerships, our programmes partners have the vision and understanding of their creative communities. They are best placed to lead and tell the stories of their local art sectors.
Based on the mapping research done on the Creative and cultural industries in Ethiopia last year we identified that Fashion, Visual Arts, Design and Textile the drastically growing creative sectors. This sectors are our creative economy and cultural connectes programmes priority areas for the year 2023/24.
Further information can be viewed at https://ethiopia.britishcouncil.org
About Creative Hub Ethiopia:
Creative Hub Ethiopia supports creative innovators, designers, and SMEs in various fields by deepening their understanding of global design and industrial concepts, providing state-of-the-art working tools and resources, and enhancing the link between young innovators, and industrial and governmental entities.
Further information can be viewed at https://creativehub.et/
About Fashion Scout:
Fashion Scout is a leading international platform and consultancy for nurturing, empowering, and showcasing emerging fashion and accessories designers from around the world. With 20 years of experience in the industry, the consultancy creates and delivers bespoke mentoring and capacity-building programmes for designers and organisations around the world – enabling designers to adapt and build sustainable businesses in these challenging times – and providing them with the opportunity to showcase their work to the international market. Most recently Fashion Scout has helped to deliver programmes in Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal for the British Council, as well as projects in Rwanda, Estonia, Armenia, and many more countries across the globe, making an impact for sustainable business growth in the respective creative ecosystems.
Further information can be viewed at https://fashionscout.com/
About MARIGAT GOLD:
Marigat Gold, founded by Silvia Tonui is the lead delivery partner for Creative DNA Kenya. Silvia is a Project Manager and Marketing consultant who has been running the programme in Kenya since its inception in 2020. Marigat Consultancy provides 360-degree Marketing, Business Development & Project Management services.
Silvia started her career in 2009 at Times Media Ltd, South Africa in Trade & Consumer Marketing before being appointed as CEO of FAFA (Festival of African Fashion & Arts), responsible for creating pan-African and international marketing services for East African fashion designers, fashion event management and market linkages through traditional retail and e-commerce opportunities.
