USAID helps Ethiopian designer Fikirte export to USA

The USAID East Africa Trade Hub discovered Fikirte in 2010, shortly after she launched her brand that offers a “cultural touch for the modern day women.” Fikirte uses local fabrics and traditional Ethiopian weavers. She’s proud of Ethiopian culture and committed to strengthening the skill set of her weavers and providing them with consistent, well-paid work. Exporting to the U.S. through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) provides the demand she needs to meet her commitment.

The Trade Hub provided Fikirte with technical assistance and helped her navigate the AGOA market. They began by introducing Fikirte to Wambui Njogu. Similar to Fikirte, Wambui is a skilled designer with her own fashion label that gives African cultural style an international twist. Wambui is also a savvy business woman who has already adapted her product to a commercial market – who better to mentor Fikirte?

Wambui says, “Fikirte recognized the potential of the existing ‘old world’ weaving industry in Ethiopia and knew how to produce something sophisticated and special from the authentic traditional fabrics. Fikirte’s materials are timeless but the modernity of her garments means they can be appreciated outside of her traditional markets, as summarized by her aptly named current collection, ‘timeless women, modern world’.”

Fikirte credits Wambui with helping her to “create story lines and sketches” for her designs and to help her prepare for her first African-wide fashion show – the Trade Hub sponsored Origin Africa Fiber to Fashion Designer Showcase in Mauritius in March 2011. Fikirte’s first-place finish at the Mauritius event secured her entry to African Fashion Week in New York. New York led to Paris in 2012 and an alliance with Adiat Disu, a spokesperson for African fashion.

USAID