LEMLEM means to bloom & flourish
Founded by supermodel Liya Kebede with a powerful mission, lemlem is a women’s resort and swimwear brand made entirely and responsibly in Africa.
From the very beginning, our brand has been rooted in craftsmanship, community, and purpose. Our core mission consists in preserving the local art of weaving in Ethiopia and creating socio-economic opportunities for artisans and communities on the continent.
We are proud to be a Certified B Corporation™ as we continue expanding our mission, while taking a holistic approach to responsible growth - caring for governance, the environment, and the communities we work with.
Made with love and care in Africa
Our Story
On a trip to her native country of Ethiopia, as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador, Liya Kebede discovered that traditional weavers were losing their jobs due to a decline in local demand for their goods.
Recognizing the beauty and rare quality of their work, Liya started lemlem in 2007 to preserve this ancient art form and simultaneously create job opportunities for local artisans.
Since then, lemlem has expanded its presence in Kenya with ready-to-wear and Morocco with swimwear.
Our Mission
By employing traditional weavers, we’re trying to break their cycle of poverty, while preserving the art of weaving, to create modern, casual, comfortable clothes that we really want to wear.
