Ethiopian designer Ruth Girmay’s designs serve as her form of activism. As a designer, Girmay focuses on crafting leather products, creating patterns and sketches for her brand, Shamrock Leather.
In a discussion with The Reporter Ethiopia, she mentioned, “My love for drawing and design drew me to leather. I want Ethiopian products to be recognized as quality contenders in international markets. That’s why I’m investing in advanced finishing technologies to produce world-class products.”
Girmay aims to elevate Ethiopian leather on the global market and change how African craftsmanship is perceived.
The Nile perch, a fish species native to Africa, was the inspiration for her latest bag, displayed at the Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2024. Her “Overfishing Bag,” made from sustainable leather and intended to raise awareness about the threats facing the Nile perch, earned her the title of Most Commendable Designer at the event, marking her second consecutive win. This win follows her successful “Diversity Bag,” inspired by the zebra’s symbolism of beauty, equality, and strength, presented at the 2023 event.
Girmay’s recent work aims to emphasize conservation as a reflection of the potential within the African leather industry and the significance of sustainable design in reshaping fashion.
In a video shared on Instagram by RLSD, Girmay stated, “The ‘O’ shape of the handbag handle is carved to resemble the eye of the (Nile perch) fish, while the pleated body is similar to the spiny dorsal and tail fins.”
The designer adeptly took on the challenge of utilizing design aesthetics to convey the message that overfishing significantly threatens the Nile perch population in African waters.
Beyond the competition, TRT Afrika highlights that Girmay’s entire collection supports the protection of various ecosystems while also aiding the communities that depend on them.
Her choice of sustainable leather comes from farms practicing environmentally friendly methods, contrasting with commercial factories that often use harmful chemicals and contribute to global waste.
She stated, “I can only stay relevant and continue winning awards because of my unique themes and the quality finishing I achieve with modern technology.”
However, she suggested a solution to the high costs associated with leather in the country: “We need to import modern technology and secure robust government support to elevate Ethiopian leather to global standards. Our products deserve to be valued for their quality, not dismissed due to their origin. We must ensure that future generations inherit a sustainable, productive environment by overcoming the escalating costs.”
The talented designer holds a bachelor’s degree in educational planning management and a master’s in special needs education from Addis Ababa University.
