Deborah Giorgi

Revitalized Ethiopia's traditional textile industry through sustainable fashion innovation

Deborah Giorgi is an Italian-Ethiopian fashion designer and entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to preserving Ethiopia's cultural heritage while promoting sustainable fashion. Born in Addis Ababa in 1980, she founded Ethio-Fashion in 2006, a brand that combines traditional Ethiopian weaving techniques with modern design aesthetics. Her work has created over 200 jobs for local artisans, many of whom are women from rural areas.

Giorgi's approach focuses on reviving ancient textile methods like the enda weaving technique practiced by the Oromo people. By establishing partnerships with cooperatives in regions like Tigray and Amhara, she ensures fair wages and safe working conditions. Her designs have been featured in international shows including Milan Fashion Week and the Victoria & Albert Museum's Africa Fashion exhibition in 2020.

Her most impactful initiative is the Ethiopian Artisan Alliance, which connects over 500 artisans with global buyers through an online platform. This has increased artisan incomes by 300% in participating communities. Giorgi's work has also inspired UNESCO to designate Ethiopian textile craftsmanship as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016.

In 2022, she launched the first Ethiopian Circular Fashion Lab, pioneering upcycling techniques using traditional materials. Her TED Talk 'Weaving Tomorrow's Textiles Today' has garnered over 2 million views, educating global audiences about the environmental and cultural benefits of sustainable fashion practices.