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Kunjina Tesfaye on Growth and Preserving #Artisanal Techniques.

#Handweaving, #embroidery and #fabric manipulation are design elements that communicate stories about Ethiopia. “If you’ve seen photos of #Ethiopians wearing the traditional white dress, it’s handwoven.”

Interview with Kunjina Tesfaye.

When Kunjina Tesfaye talks about UDET, her eponymous #fashion label Kunjina’s collection, growth radiates. #UDET is a Geez word meaning cycle. Inspired by Ms. Tesfaye’s personal experience, this collection explores fear, productivity guilt, and growth. “It’s like a butterfly’s story or growth from the first stage, from the caterpillar stage into becoming a butterfly. I’ve used that metaphor to explain how a person goes through these stages to flourish and become the person they want. It’s a cycle. It’s not a one-time thing.”

Since her debut as a twentysomething with a degree in construction technology, Ms. Tesfaye’s life and creative approach have evolved. “Every time I make a collection I’ve grown – my designs and the brand and the aesthetics, everything has changed or has grown.” Today, Kunjina has developed into a platform for local #artists. They lobby for growth, preserve traditional #handcrafting methods, and promote #ecofriendly practices.

https://lampoonmagazine.com/article/2024/11/27/kunjina-tesfaye-embroidery-handweaving-fabric-ethiopia

#Africa #Ethiopia #FashionDesigners #TraditionalWeaving #clothesmaking #AfricanWeavers #GlobalSouth #BlackDesigners #BlackArtists #POCfashion #FibreArts #Handwoven #BlackMastodon #TraditionalWeaving #MadeByHand #Interview #BIPOC