Sharing my story one slide at a time,
so another young girl knows she can start where she is 💫
HOME @mfalacademy
Thanks for capturing my journey, @yonas_tadesse_
It’s been an incredible journey.
In just one year, as we celebrate the first anniversary of Mafi Fashion Academy & Lab, we reached a powerful milestone. The inauguration of our new campus and our move to a new location. More space. More opportunity. More impact.
This new campus represents more than growth; it reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, accessible fashion education, nurturing creativity, preserving craft, and empowering the next generation of African fashion leaders. It is a space where ideas are shaped, skills are refined, and futures are built.
This achievement would not have been possible without the support and belief of our partners and collaborators. Thank you to the Federal TVET Institution (FTVTI), UNIDO, MOLS, the Italian Embassy, and all our supporters, mentors, students, and community who have walked this journey with us.
Today, we celebrate how far we’ve come and we look forward with confidence and purpose to what’s ahead.
Welcome to the new home of MFAL 🎉
What a beautiful experience at @craft_addis
Events like this matter because they remind us that the creative industry is not secondary, it is a powerful driver of culture, innovation, employment, and global influence.
Seeing fashion, music, art, craft, and design come together on one platform, treated with the seriousness and vision they deserve, that is the energy we need more of.
Thank you to the organizers @zeleman_communications for building a space where these conversations can actually happen. You brought together voices that needed to be in the same room. 🙏🏾
@anna_getaneh@awameitedesign@studionamnyak
We are honored to welcome Mahlet Afework, Founder of Mafi Mafi & MFAL, as a featured speaker at the Intra African Trade and Tourism Forum.
Her insight will help shape an important conversation on the creative economy, cultural entrepreneurship, and the opportunities that can grow between Ghana, Ethiopia, and the wider continent.
Join us on Saturday, May 9 at 9 AM at Kuriftu Resort and Spa African Village for a day of dialogue, networking, and cross-cultural exchange.
Ghana Month in Ethiopia
In partnership with Black Star Experience, Kuriftu African Village, and Bridge54.
Register to attend.
Mahlet Afework (Mafi), the visionary founder of @mafimafi.et and @mfalacademy , is joining our CRAFT Addis 2026 speaker lineup!
As a Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Frontier finalist and a global icon of sustainable design, @mahletafework is redefining the fashion industry.
Through the Mafi Fashion Academy and Lab (MFAL), Ethiopia’s first premium fashion institution, she is now empowering the next generation of African fashion leaders by blending technical business skills with indigenous knowledge.
Don’t miss her session at CRAFT Addis 2026
📍 April 30 – May 2, 2026 | Addis Ababa
🎟 Get tickets now: Link in bio
#CRAFTAddis2026 #MahletAfework #MafiMafi #MFAL #SustainableFashion #FashionAcademy #AddisAbaba #CreativeEconomy #AfricaRising
One of the most memorable moments from our first graduation show, “Fashion Symphony”
Instead of a standard show, we designed an immersive experience where fashion, music, and storytelling came together to bring our students’ work to life.
Design by @abigiya_nigussie@mfalacademy
“Fashion Symphony”!
Here are the highlights from our magical graduation show! This event was more than just a runway; it was a vibrant celebration of our students’ creativity and talent. A heartfelt thank you to all our amazing collaborators who helped bring this event to life.
Creative direction by: @mahletafework
Videography: @greater_advertising
Décor and setup: @wedecor_events_
Organized by: @sara_ewnetu and @hub_of_africa_addis
Venue and media partner: @kanatelevision
Hair and makeup: @ims_makeup_school
Casting and choreography: @_beckymodel
Photography: @mekbib_studio
Premium partner: @habeshabeeret
We couldn’t have done it without you! 🎉#GraduationFashionShow #Collaboration
A milestone moment for our academy. This year, we proudly celebrate the graduation of our very first class—the Class of 2025, consisting of 50 talented designers. Their creativity, dedication, and vision have shaped our journey. From their first sketches to the final pieces showcased at the ceremony, their work reflects months of learning, experimentation, and growth through our Fashion Design Beginner and Advanced programs.
Congratulations to our pioneering graduates, the first of many to come!
A special thank you to our premium partner, Habesha Beer @habeshabeeret and all our partners
@wedecor_events_@kanatelevision@ims_makeup_school@greater_advertising@deluxe -catering-addis
@hub_of_africa_addis@_beckymodel@lyansevents@djabelr@sara_ewnetu
Photography by @mekbib_studio
#SpeakerAnnouncement ✨
Meet @mahletafework , Founder and Creative Director of MAFI MAFI, joining the #LWS2026 speaker lineup.
Get ready to meet pioneers across Africa as we bring together voices shaping culture, creativity and leadership — all on one stage.
🎟 Get your tickets now — and you could still stand a chance to win two tickets.⤵️
Vision-led voices. Future-focused conversations. One African stage.
We had such a great week as our students explored new horizons of knowledge during the recent exclusive training organized by @internationaltradecentre
It was a wonderful opportunity to learn from our dedicated instructors, @anisajohnny , an expert in market trends, and @motif.jackie , a textile expert.
A special thank you to all our instructors for their commitment, and a heartfelt acknowledgment to @camilavillas for her ongoing support. We look forward to the growth, innovation, and global readiness that this training will inspire at MFAL!
It’s been an incredible journey.
In just one year, as we celebrate the first anniversary of Mafi Fashion Academy & Lab, we reached a powerful milestone. The inauguration of our new campus and our move to a new location. More space. More opportunity. More impact.
This new campus represents more than growth; it reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, accessible fashion education, nurturing creativity, preserving craft, and empowering the next generation of African fashion leaders. It is a space where ideas are shaped, skills are refined, and futures are built.
This achievement would not have been possible without the support and belief of our partners and collaborators. Thank you to the Federal TVET Institution (FTVTI), UNIDO, MOLS, the Italian Embassy, and all our supporters, mentors, students, and community who have walked this journey with us.
Today, we celebrate how far we’ve come and we look forward with confidence and purpose to what’s ahead.
Welcome to the new home of MFAL 🎉
