Sewn with Purpose: Mekdes Mesfin’s Journey from Passion to Brand
By Mintesinot Nigussie
Published on 08/04/25
In high school in Addis Ababa, Mekdes Mesfin didn’t stand out with flashy brands or expensive shoes. It was her quiet confidence and how she styled her outfits that drew attention. Her fashion sense wasn’t store-bought—it came naturally, shaped by her upbringing.
Raised in Bole Michael by a single mother, Mekdes grew up watching her make old clothes feel new. Her grandfather had been a tailor, and though her mother never worked as one, she had the skill. Mekdes learned by watching her mend sleeves and fix seams—small moments that sparked a lifelong passion.
“I never cared about brands,” she recalls. “If it fit and expressed who I was, that was enough.” Her friends noticed too, often complimenting her style. One summer, on a whim, she took a short fashion design course.
But like many young Ethiopians navigating expectations, her path wasn’t linear. She enrolled at Ambo University to study civil engineering—a field she never connected with. A year and a half in, she dropped out. “Some relatives thought I failed academically,” she told FSX Business. “They blamed my mother for giving me too much freedom.”
A conversation with her mother changed everything. “She told me she felt like she had failed as a parent.” That moment pushed Mekdes to prove herself—not by giving up her passion, but by honoring her mother’s hopes too. She returned to Ambo, finished her engineering degree, and earned a business diploma through distance learning. She handed both certificates to her mother and said, “You didn’t fail.”
With family expectations fulfilled, Mekdes focused fully on fashion. She joined Next Fashion College, studying until COVID disrupted everything. But she kept going—sewing from home for friends and family. Word spread, and so did her confidence.
Today, she runs a small workshop with two young women who share her drive. Her brand, DEMII, is named after her mother, Demeh. “She’s my inspiration,” Mekdes says. “Everything I build, I build in her name.”
Mekdes represents a new wave of Ethiopian entrepreneurs creating businesses outside traditional paths. With no investors and little capital, she’s grown through reinvestment, word-of-mouth, and standout custom designs. Ethiopian startups now total over $300 million in value, reflecting demand for ventures like hers.
Still, entrepreneurship isn’t glamorous. “Some days, I’ve cried silently on public transport,” she admits. “The pressure to prove yourself never really stops.”
Her hustle starts before sunrise and stretches late into the night. “I go to sleep thinking about unfinished projects and wake up already worrying about the next move,” she says. “It feels like I’m always running.”
Yet her purpose keeps her grounded. She works not just for herself but to honor her mother’s sacrifices and open doors for girls like her. “I’m building something for those who come after.”
And what keeps her going is her roots. “I don’t come from privilege or connections,” she says. “But I come from a legacy of making the most of what’s there, just like my mother did with a needle and thread.”
Growing up under her mother’s watchful eye, she learned that womanhood means pushing through quietly and finding strength in small moments. “It’s about showing up even when it’s hard—turning challenges into something meaningful, sometimes even beautiful.”
With DEMII, she’s built a brand rooted in childhood dreams. It blends minimal design with versatility—fit for both casual days and upscale evenings—and appeals to young consumers drawn to Pan-African style with cultural depth. Even as a Gen Z designer, she earned early recognition from both local and international buyers.
“Our brand colors aren’t loud,” she says. “We go for clean silhouettes—quiet at first, but they make you take a second look.”
She keeps her pieces affordable by sourcing locally and handling production herself. While many Ethiopian shoppers shy away from handmade clothes due to price, she’s steadily changing that perception.
To her, fashion is a language. “In Ethiopian culture, we’re often shy, our voices soft,” she reflects. “That silence shaped me. I speak through the fabric and form I create.”
In just four years, Mekdes has laid a strong foundation for DEMII’s growth. Her work is earning attention well beyond Ethiopia. From being featured in Vogue Italia to joining sustainability platforms like Design Plus Thought and Lioness Africa, her designs are part of meaningful global conversations.
These fashion designs are the work of Mekdes Mesfin
When asked for advice, she speaks with conviction: “Start with what you have. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Focus on solving a real problem, stay consistent, and embrace learning. Most of all, stay true to your values.”
Though digital tools make it easier to start, she believes steady grind matters most. “Persistence and consistency—that’s what really pays off.”
Looking ahead, she hopes DEMII reaches international stages—not just as fashion, but as something that connects and inspires. “I want DEMII to touch souls.”
There’s still a long road ahead, but she’s committed. DEMII isn’t just a label—it’s a story of resilience, stitched with purpose.