Supermodel launches kids line at J. Crew

Posted by lena on Mar 27, 2009 in News | 0 comments

Supermodel Liya Kebede debuts a new kids fashion line called Lemlem Saturday. With the launch she hopes to give back to her native Africa.
After a trip to Ethiopia three-and-a-half years ago, Kebede saw the cramped spaces and quarters that city weave makers had to endure for a small wage. Looking at the hand-woven clothing they were producing, Kebede said she was compelled to help.
“They had this incredible talent, but didn’t really have a market,” she said. “I wanted to introduce them to the Western market…to see if we can help that industry. I wanted to at least do my part for the country.”
Kebede said she wanted to create a children’s clothing line as a way to preserve her Ethiopian culture with her own kids, son Suhul, 8, and 3-year-old daughter Raee. Lemlem is Kebede’s mother-in-law’s nickname for Raee, which means “lush and fertile” in Amharic, an Ethiopian dialect.
Every Lemlem piece is hand-woven and some are made of hand-spun cotton, like one of Kebede’s favorite pieces: the hooded Gabi that transforms a traditional Ethiopian blanket into a summer frock.
“We’re taking this old way of making a garment and giving it a new style and modern design,” she said. “It’s a mix of really cool design for today and the old world.”
The line, sold at J. Crew, is for children, but Kebede said moms are getting jealous of their kids’ “yummy” Lemlem look.
“A lot of moms have been asking us ‘Do you make this in an adult size? I would wear this,'” she said. “I know how much parents love buying clothes for their kids and how they want to give them something new in the closet. It helps with the mom’s personal style (and) will add some color into the kid’s closet.”
J. Crew started a children’s Crew Cut line in 2006 and creative director Jenna Lyons said Lemlem was a perfect way for J.Crew to expand its children’s presence.
“We’re all about combining the casual and the high end, and we thought Lemlem integrated well with that,” she said. “It’s a unique combination and the fact that someone is benefiting is great. We don’t get to do that often.”
source: usatoday.com