The Swedish retailer H&M revealed its newest collaborator: CFDA member Liya Kebede. Debuting May 6, the collaboration features kaftans, sundresses, and jewelry using the lemlem brand’s signature specialty: female traditional weavers from the designer’s native Ethiopia.
Lemlem means to bloom and flourish in the Ethiopian language of Amharic, defining the brand’s ethos as a commitment to preserving this traditional weaving art, championing artisanship, and creating job opportunities for women in Africa. The philanthropic arm of the brand, The Lemlem Foundation, additionally supports these female artisans with health care resources and local production to strengthen the African textile and fashion industry to pave way for a larger workforce development.
As part of the collaboration, H&M will be donating $100,000 to The Lemlem Foundation.
The upcoming, limited-edition capsule will be sustainable with styles featuring organic linen and recycled polyester across the swimwear, dresses, pants, shirts and bags that will be in select stores and online.