Ethiopian traditional dress is defined by fine handwoven cotton and quiet, graceful detail.
Shemma and the habesha kemis
In central and northern areas, women’s clothing is often made from shemma, cotton cloth woven in strips about 90 cm wide and sewn together. Some shemma has shiny threads woven in for an elegant effect, and making enough for a single dress takes around two to three weeks. The habesha kemis is usually white with colour above the lower hem, and the bottom may be patterned. Silver or gold jewellery completes the look.
The netela
Both men and women wear the netela shawl, and how it is worn changes with the occasion. At church, women drape it over the hair and shoulders to form a cross, while at funerals the shiny edge threads show at the bottom.
Designers
Some city women wear designer dinner dresses that mix traditional fabric with modern style. Designer Mahlet Afework won a Creative Futures contest for Ethiopian designers.
Sources: Wikipedia: Culture of Ethiopia.
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