MAFI MAFI by Ethiopian Fashion Designer Mahlet Afework is blazing the trail as a force in the sustainable fashion industry.
Afework’s work is driven by a profound design mission: to harmonize the opulence of ancient Ethiopian heritage with modern, ready-to-wear apparel.
Since its establishment in 2011 in Addis Ababa, MAFI MAFI has garnered global acclaim as a social enterprise committed to empowerment and skill-building for young artisan weavers, designers, pattern makers, seamstresses, and factory workers.
Founded by Mahlet Afework, affectionately known as Mafi, the brand draws inspiration from cherished childhood memories of her mother, a skilled seamstress with a small business specializing in embroidering and selling exquisite traditional textiles for special occasions within the community.
MAFI MAFI’s distinctive identity lies in its use of hand-woven cloth crafted by local artisan weavers, resulting in versatile, wearable, and accessible luxury pieces that transcend conventional fashion norms.
In its pursuit of disrupting exploitative and unsustainable practices within the clothing and textiles industries, MAFI MAFI takes a unique approach.
The brand produces one ready-to-wear collection annually, aiming to decentralize the global fashion calendars that often perpetuate unsustainable consumption patterns.
This conscious decision reflects MAFI MAFI’s commitment to prioritizing social, economic, and environmental impact throughout its production value chain.
The ethos of empowerment extends to providing livable wages, apprenticeships, and personal development opportunities within a familial workshop setting. MAFI MAFI’s dedication to fostering a positive impact is evident in its emphasis on sourcing raw materials locally, paying workers equitably, utilizing hydropower energy, and minimizing textile waste.
Beyond fashion, MAFI MAFI seeks to weave a narrative of sustainability, cultural richness, and ethical practices.
The brand’s website, www.mafimafiet.com, serves as a portal to explore its exquisite collections and delve deeper into the ethos that propels MAFI MAFI’s journey toward a more sustainable and compassionate future in the world of fashion.
Afework has been featured in the 2023/24 edition of the Rising Woman Africa magazine by by Global Group Media.
