Creative DNA 3.0 Launches in Ethiopia, Showcasing the Next Wave of Fashion Innovators











Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — September 17 — The British Council Arts Programme, in collaboration with Creative Hub Ethiopia, is proud to announce the launch of Creative DNA: Ethiopia 3.0. This initiative continues its mission to spotlight and empower Ethiopia’s most promising fashion and accessory designers, equipping them with the tools to thrive locally and globally.

This year, ten Ethiopian fashion and accessory enterprises have been selected to join the programme. They will receive intensive business incubation support, mentorship, and access to market opportunities in Ethiopia and internationally. Through digital coaching sessions, collaborative campaigns, and global exposure, the designers will strengthen their skills, networks, and visibility.

“Creative DNA 3.0 is at the back of the previous experience, and it is a great opportunity for market exposure and scaling up the fashion business. We have seen our designers featured in Vogue Italia, doing international showcases, and creating great brands. I expect the same this time around.”

– Abenezer Seife , Creative Hub Ethiopia Manager

Now in its third round, Creative DNA Ethiopia has already had the privilege of working with some of the country’s most inspiring emerging designers. Each round has built on the last, expanding networks, strengthening skills, and showcasing Ethiopian creativity on international stages. With the newest cohort, the programme aims to go even further by providing tailored support to meet the unique needs of this year’s cohort, ensuring that each designer can scale their vision, strengthen their brand, and reach new markets.

“The Creative DNA Ethiopia Programme is vital because it does more than just support startups. It taps into Ethiopia’s incredible creative potential and gives a platform to the designers who are actually shaping our fashion narrative for the long haul.”

– Markos Lemma, Iceaddis.

The Creative DNA: Ethiopia 3.0 Designers

● Bere Har – Handmade Ethiopian silk “from farm to fashion,” Bere Har revives the country’s ancient sericulture traditions and transforms them into

contemporary garments. From nurturing silkworms to weaving and design, the brand controls every step of the process, ensuring authenticity, sustainability, and craftsmanship.

● Re.colored Lab – Re.colored Lab turns discarded plastic bags into striking, wearable art. By fusing circular design with bold aesthetics, the brand not only reduces waste but also empowers local communities to see value in overlooked materials. Each creation embodies resilience, creativity, and a vision for a cleaner, more conscious fashion future.

● SAIO – Rooted in Ethiopia’s deep traditions of craftsmanship, SAIO is a premium leather and artisan goods brand that celebrates both heritage and innovation. Each product, whether a handbag, accessory, or garment, blends timeless techniques with modern design sensibilities, creating luxurious yet soulful pieces that carry Ethiopia’s artisanal identity into the world.

● Leyu Gem and Jewellery – Crafting unique, one-of-a-kind jewellery, Leyu transforms gold, silver, and precious gemstones into wearable works of art. Each piece is designed to honor individuality and timeless beauty, merging Ethiopia’s rich mineral legacy with contemporary forms that empower self-expression and celebrate personal stories.

● Afom Design – A brand redefining bridalwear and ready-to-wear fashion, Afom Design specializes in bespoke creations that combine elegance with ethical production. By centering women at every stage of its value chain, the brand not only produces stunning garments but also champions empowerment, confidence, and inclusivity in fashion.

● ASHARO – Bold, unapologetic, and deeply rooted in cultural storytelling, ASHARO is a contemporary Ethiopian streetwear label that redefines African identity. Known for its hand-painted details, graphic prints, and vibrant aesthetics, ASHARO fuses tradition and urban culture, creating wearable statements of pride, rebellion, and belonging.

● BEZA – A visionary label bridging the past and the future, BEZA weaves Ethiopian cultural heritage with modern design aesthetics. Each piece is both a tribute to tradition and a step toward reinvention, offering fashion that feels timeless yet forward-looking. The brand speaks to those who see clothing as a connection between identity, history, and aspiration.

● Qena Afrika – More than just fashion, Qena Afrika is a cultural movement led by youth who are redefining Ethiopian and African identity. With a style rooted in heritage yet driven by innovation, the brand embodies confidence, pride, and unity, inspiring a generation to express themselves through garments that honor where they come from and where they’re going.

● MEHON – Founded in 2018, MEHON is a leather brand that celebrates individuality, authenticity, and the “art of being.” With rustic yet eccentric designs, its collections highlight raw textures and bold character, reflecting

Ethiopia’s artisanal traditions while embracing a contemporary, free-spirited aesthetic.

● METII – An avant-garde upcycling couture brand, METII transforms discarded garments into daring, expressive pieces that challenge fashion norms. Each creation is both art and activism—turning waste into statements of resilience, beauty, and self-expression. By reclaiming what is often overlooked, METII redefines fashion as a tool for sustainability and bold individuality.

Creative DNA: Ethiopia 3.0 is part of the wider SSA Arts Creative Economy Programme, which fosters partnerships between the UK and East Africa’s creative sectors. The initiative is committed to innovation, sustainability, inclusion, and cultural storytelling, while reinforcing that fashion is both a viable profession for young people and a vital contributor to Ethiopia’s creative economy.

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, showcase 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.

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. About iceaddis

Iceaddis, founded in 2011, is Ethiopia’s first innovation hub and startup incubator, dedicated to empowering young entrepreneurs and fostering a culture of creativity, technology, and collaboration. Based in Addis Ababa, it provides co-working spaces, incubation and acceleration programs, and tailored consultancy services that help early-stage and high-potential startups grow into investment-ready businesses.

Beyond workspace and training, Iceaddis acts as a connector between startups, universities, NGOs, government, and private sector players, creating a vibrant ecosystem where new ideas can be tested, developed, and brought to market.