Liya Kebede drew inspiration for her clothing company, Lemlem, during a trip she took to Africa. The open-air markets and artisinal bazaars of Ethiopia provided Kebede with the creative impetus to showcase the country's traditional art form of handweaving. Kebede's luxurious designs lend themselves to the unique combination of meticulous craftsmanship and use of natural cotton. If you would like to incorporate Kebede's aesthetic elements into your personal style without breaking the bank, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Kebede's style is about comfort and effortlessness. Find pieces that are loose and lightweight and made from cotton.
• She incorporates a lot of stripes into her designs.
• She also likes to include jumpsuits and rompers into her collection.
• Comfortable shoes for comfortable clothing. Espadrilles work especially well with Kebede's beachy designs. 

Just below we've incorporated these aesthetic elements into some Kebede-inspired outfits that are perfect for this summer season. If you have any other suggestions, don't hesitate to share them in the comment section below. We'd love to hear your thoughts!
If you want to learn more about this amazingly talented woman who puts the super in supermodel, check out Decoding the Designer: Liya Kebede.

Liya Kebede is a woman of varied talents: model, designer, maternal health advocate, and philanthropist. She is a woman on a mission, using fashion and design to share her message about empowerment and the preservation of art and culture.


Her work doesn't end there though. In 2005, Kebede was appointed World Health Organization (WHO) Goodwill Ambassador for maternal, newborn, and child health. She also founded the Liya Kebede Foundation, which aims to reduce maternal, newborn, and child mortality in Africa through advocacy projects, community based organizations, and medical training programs (source: Wikipedia). She was even named Time Magazine's "100 Mosst Influential People" in 2010.

Kebede founded her clothing line Lemlem in 2007. Lemlem in Amharic, a native Ethiopian language, means "to bloom or flourish". Kebede's designs feature handwoven and embroided clothing made from natural cotton. She partners with local Ethiopian artisans to preserve the art of Ethiopian handweaving, which is "world reknowned for its intricacy and luxirious texture" (source: Lemlem). The brand not only offers work opportunities to traditionally skilled handweavers, it also honors and protects this cultural artform and adds a sense of diversity to the clothing market.

With her boundless talent and ambition, Liya Kebede uses fashion to give voice to a greater cause. Her personal style showcases the tradition and culture of her native roots, and expresses a sense of empowerment. As you continue on your style journey, keep this in mind: "If nothing else, I want women to understand that they are powerful...We have more ability to make changes in the world than we can imagine if we have the courage to try."

These modern bracelets are simple and understated in their design. They're generally made from plated metal alone with little to no decorative stones or crystals - great for someone who has a more minimalist style.

• Find pieces that are simple, elegant, and comfortable.
• Chanel's signature colors were black and white. 
• Many of her designs were inspired by menswear and nautical themes. 
• Chanel loved to accessorize with fashion jewelry, especially pearl necklaces.