From the thin layers of the gauze-like shemma shawls to the thick insulation of gabbi blankets, handwoven cotton is truly the fabric of traditional Ethiopian life. Today, visitors to Addis Ababa have a range of options when it comes to shopping for Ethiopian cotton products. Here are some of our top picks.

Yefikir Design

Yefikir Design is the outpost of Fikirte Addis, an award-winning young fashion designer who creates modern interpretations of various traditional Ethiopian dress styles. Fikirte designs custom evening wear and bridal gowns, as well as a line of avant-garde apparel. Phone: +251-11-8601052

Shemma Design

Located near Bole Medanealem Church, Shemma Design is known for its wide selection of brightly colored scarves and shawls made from hand-spun cotton and dyed with natural dye. Phone: +251-91-7803423

Sabahar

Behind Salem Nursing College in Mekanisa, Sabahar produces handwoven scarves and home goods, including pillows, table runners, placemats and napkins. Using a unique blend of organic cotton and Ethiopian silk, Sabahar’s products are distributed in more than 10 different countries. Phone: +251-11-3215112

Abba's

Abba’s Clothes and Home Effects, located in the Summit area, is the shop and atelier of architect and designer Bethlehem Makonnen. Primarily featuring cotton women’s apparel with a contemporary twist, Abba’s also makes clothing for men and children, with designs ranging from casual to formal. The shop offers a custom design service in addition to ready-made products, and a line of home accessories is also in the works. Phone: +251-91-1213933

Shiro Meda Market

On Entoto Road in Gulele, the Shiro Meda is home to Addis Ababa’s largest market dedicated to traditional textiles. Housing dozens of small shops, the market and its merchants sell both cloth and the traditional dress styles of many of Ethiopia’s various ethnic groups. Visitors should be prepared to explore and bargain.