Afropian is a Panafrican brand focusing on Ethiopia as it connects to the rest of Africa. It is 100% Handmade in Africa! As a Cameroonian who calls beautiful Ethiopia home, founder and creative director Hortense Mbea wanted to bring what she has gleaned from her extensive travels on the continent back to her second home. The brand builds on luxurious, traditionally handcrafted textiles and other art from across the continent. In these days of African Renaissance, they think it is time now to focus on what has always made Africa great – creativity, savoir-faire and artisanal know-how!
Artisans come from across the continent including Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, Sénégal, Benin, Cameroon and Ethiopia.
Customers can visit the Addis showroom in Gurdshola (by appointment) and soon there will be a flagship store in Addis. Ethiopian artisans include Gabitiks (handwoven cotton blankets) and artisans that craft the iconic Ethiopian crosses in bronze, silver and brass . Gabitiks are created by mixing Batik from Cote d’Ivoire’ gabi on one side and batik on the other.
Hortense moved from France to Addis in 2002 to start a career as an interpreter. A position with the African Development Bank took her away from 2012-17. However, upon her return Hortense wanted to tap into her creativity and establish Afropian as a way to show Ethiopians how well they blend with the rest of the continent and to highlight how similar African cultures are. “I also aim to showcase African excellence, tell our true story and take people on a journey through the continent and through time”.
Afropian
Instagram @afropian_official
Phone: +251989823215 – call ahead to visit the Showroom
www.facebook.com/proudlyafropian
Email: afropianaddis@gmail.com
