Textiles: Take a Trip To Bolé Road

Bolé Road Textiles [Ethiopia]

[Image credit: from top left; Indigenous Blooms – Bolé Road Textiles]

Over the years of writing my blog I have been privileged to have been given a glimpse into some amazing design brands at the pre-start-up stage; when the brands in question were just concepts taking their first steps into the rewards and challenges of the design journey. And, then seeing them now and just how far they have come is a testament to the creativity, passion, and dedication in seeing their vision through from dream to reality. That is why I am so pleased to finally be able to introduce you to Bolé Road Textiles, which officially launches this Friday, 8th May at BKLYN Designs in Brooklyn, New York City.

Named for the bustling thoroughfare in Addis Abba, lined with colorful shops, fruit stalls, and cafes, Bolé Road Textiles is a Brooklyn-based home décor company that places the rich hand-woven textile traditions of Ethiopia at its core. Bolé Road was founded by Ethiopian-born interior designer Hana Getachew, who left Ethiopia as a child, returning many years later on holiday as a young adult. A life-changing trip that sowed the seeds for her brand. What immediately struck me about Bolé Road’s furnishings on seeing them for the first time were the uplifting bursts of colour. Hana’s designs draw inspiration from Ethiopia’s natural and cultural landscape, and for Bolé Road’s inaugural collections she chose the themes ‘Indigenous Blooms’, which is inspired by the bright yellows, reds, and fuchsias of Ethiopia in springtime; and ‘Modern Classics’, which exudes a more subtle colour palette highlighting the lasting qualities of Ethiopian cotton. 

[Image credits: Konso Pillow collection -Bolé Road Textiles] 

  l strive to reference traditional Ethiopian textiles and motifs in my designs, I love that I can continue the tradition and represent my heritage by reinterpreting and reimagining our ‘tibeb’ (Amharic for woven pattern) in my pieces – Hana Getachew

[Image credits: Modern Classics Collection – Bolé Road Textiles] 

Hana took traditional patterns and modernised them in various ways including re-colouring for a more contemporary feel. And in a bid to create a more lasting connection with the country of her birth Hana produces her collections in Ethiopia, making use of Ethiopian cotton, which is harvested, seeded and spun by hand, and then woven by skilled local weavers and artisans who interpret her designs using the traditional ways, and in doing so achieving the lovely end results. She also seeks out cultural inspiration for the trimmings such as the ribbon used on the Konso pillow, originally found in a market place while touring southern Ethiopia, and is used by women in the region for decorating their skirts. More than providing a livelihood for those the company works with, Hana has also partnered with two nonprofit organisations; one that works to provide quality education to every child and adult in Ethiopia; and another working to reforest Ethiopia’s most environmentally damaged regions.

[Image credits: Indigenous Blooms Collection – Bolé Road Textiles] 

BKLYN DESIGNS is Brooklyn’s premier design event showcasing a cross-section of design, architecture, and art. It was founded by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce in 2003, and was one of the first design fairs to highlight the creative economy in Brooklyn, and supports emerging designers as well as helping to promote established brands. Visitors to BKLYN Designs will be able to meet Hana and purchase the Bolé Road Textiles collection, which is also available online.

Additional details: 
Bolé Road Textiles currently priced from: USD$89-$255
For further information about Bolé Road Textiles visit: http://boleroadtextiles.com
For further information about Bklyn Designs visit: http://bklyndesigns.com

[Image credits: All images belong to Bolé Road Textiles. If downloaded and used elsewhere please credit accordingly.]