Lemlem: to bloom and flourish

Liya Kebede, one of the most breath taking models to grace the pages of magazines the world over, began a company in 1997 that recognized the beautiful, handcrafted work of the women from her native Ethiopia. Due to a dramatic decline in demand, the local weavers were suffering and the creation of Lemlem inspired economic independence and the preservation of incredible artisans. The name, which is perfectly apropos of the mission of this company, means to bloom and flourish. From what I can tell, the quality of the work, the execution and design speak directly to the courageous and daring nature of its name.