“Mekdes Tefera became interested in fashion design at the age of 14. So in the same year, Mekdes designed a collection and held a show at Addis Ababa University, Technology Campus, following which she continued developing designs from various interesting materials including her famous wedding dress made of pop corn; as well as other materials like mesh and handcrafted cotton textiles.
Now totally dedicated to fashion, by 23 years of age she has participated in more than 30 different fashion shows. A passionate advocate for peace and good health, Mekdes has shown her collections to raise money and awareness for different humanitarian causes including Child Orphans of HIV, Ethiopian Women Association, Heart Patients and International Peace Day.
Mekdes has also designed garments for Miss Ethiopia World 2007, Miss Tourism Ethiopia 2008, and Miss Ethiopia 2009, where all the top 20 contestants were dressed in her designs for their final show.
Most recently Mekdes worked as the costume designer for Ethiopia’s biggest and international screen movie The Return of Grace, which involved designing 1061 items of clothing. This movie is expected to premiere in August 2009.”
~Bio by Mekdi via AFI
~Simon Deiner/SDR Photo
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
