Take a look at the Habesha-American experience today, and you’ll see a movement that’s shaking things up. Platforms like Motherland Sounds and 2591 Worldwide are spotlighting East African culture, while Herrana Addisu’s film The River, produced by the powerhouse duo Qene Films in Addis, shows that Ethiopia’s creative voice is making waves. KITFO is gearing up to host the first Ethiopian film festival in Los Angeles, and Pristine Marketing Group is throwing massive concerts in Addis, blending Afrobeat stars with local Ethiopian talent. Meanwhile, WorldAfrika is redefining the African party scene across the States, and poets like Debbie Alamrew are dropping spoken word albums. Musicians like Abel (The Weekend), Mereba, Kelela, Aminé, and Berhana? They’re taking Ethiopian talent global.
From the kid who invented a skin cancer-detecting soap and earned Time’s ‘Kid of the Year’ to Ethiopia’s marathon champion dominating the 2024 Olympics, this generation is making its mark in every arena. Actors like Ruth Negga and Arsema Thomas, chefs like Marcus Samuelsson and Fariyal Abdullahi, and initiatives like One Love Community Fridge, tackling food insecurity and malnutrition, show just how deep this cultural renaissance runs. Add to that a thriving art scene—from the fine art circles of Addis Fine Art to celebrated visual artists in the Habesha community—and it’s clear this moment is huge. Social platforms like SelamCentral and Habesha Networks are keeping the community connected, sharing stories and celebrating joy. Whether it’s in WhatsApp group chats or on the streets of Addis, this community is shouting, loud and proud, “We’re here, and we’ve got each other’s backs.” This collective experience is rooted in pride, connection, and only growing stronger.
This is what sparked the birth of Meskel Flower—a visual love letter to Ethiopia, an homage to our traditions, and a reclamation of our stories.
When I began this project, I wasn’t just hoping to photograph women in traditional Habesha kemis—a handwoven, white cotton dress with it’s intricate tibeb embroidery, worn for holidays, weddings, and religious ceremonies. I was capturing the essence of a culture long overlooked in the editorial landscape. Scroll through social media, search through photo archives, and you’ll find beautiful representations of African fashion, art, and celebration—but very little of Ethiopia. There’s a void, a silence where our stories should be. And I wanted to break it, to ensure that the next generation of young Ethiopian girls sees themselves represented in the world’s visual lexicon.
The inspiration behind Meskel Flower comes from Afewerk Tekle’s iconic painting of the same name, an image that has always spoken to me as an Ethiopian woman. His depiction of a woman holding the bright Adey Abeba flower—the symbol of hope, renewal, and unity—has always felt like our Mona Lisa. There’s something timeless and quietly powerful in the way she holds herself, in the flower’s golden simplicity. It’s a reminder of our strength, our beauty, and our ability to flourish no matter the circumstances. That’s why we’ve done it so subtly—because we move with humility. Our strength has never needed to shout. It’s always been in the quiet power of our resilience, our ability to thrive with grace, even when the world wasn’t watching.
To me, this project was never just about fashion. It was about creating a moment that would last beyond the click of a shutter or the turn of a page. I wanted Meskel Flower to stand as a visual testament to the complexity and elegance of Ethiopian women—a tribute to the mothers, aunts and grandmothers who carried our culture forward through their hands, their voices, and their unshakable pride.
Every image, every stitch in the traditional garments, every prop in our recreated Ethiopian living room—each detail is a love letter to who we are. The crocheted table coverings, the old-school TV, the framed family photos—they all speak to the shared memories of Ethiopian homes around the world. It’s more than nostalgia; it’s a grounding, a reminder that wherever we are, we carry home with us. The braided hair, the laughter, the coffee ceremony that brings everyone together—they are echoes of our past, folded neatly into the future we are building.
As we celebrate Enkutatash, Ethiopia’s renaissance isn’t just happening on its own soil—it’s radiating outward. Our music, our art, our fashion—they’re not whispers anymore. They’re loud, they’re bold, and they demand to be seen. This is our moment to rise, to claim our space in the global cultural landscape, and to do so unapologetically.
Meskel Flower is my contribution to that rise. It’s a piece of history, a snapshot of the present, and a vision for the future. Because, like the Meskel flower itself, we bloom with resilience, year after year, unbowed by the storms that come. And as the world wakes up to Ethiopia’s brilliance, one thing is certain: we are just getting started.
Photo + Video Credits
Founder & Creative Director Ruhama Wolle
Photographer Elianel Clinton
Executive Producer May Lin Le Goff
On-Set Producer Tae McKenzie-Fisseha
Production Designer Rediet Haddis
Set Designer Zacharie Adams
Floral Set Designer Alexandra Folino
Lighting Director Saoni Fortuna
Stylist/Accessories Rachael Bettencourt
Hair Stylist Karla Serrano
Makeup Artist Isabella Diana
Videographer & Video Editor Anthony Nazario
BTS Videographer Qieara Lesesne
Prop + Set Assistant Emma Takele
Production Assistant Redeate Wolle
Production Assistant Mahlet Habtu
Photo Assistant Cesar Cordone
Set Design Assistant Cameron Gonzalez
Post Production Cat Trzaskowski
Layout Designer Christopher Quarterman