'(4 Jun 2007) 1. Various Arnold Haas, Fashion Designer 2. SOUNDBITE: (German) Arnold Haas, Austrian Fashion Designer \"When I came to Ethiopia and started designing and producing my collection, I was very surprised at its success when I showed it to international buyers and markets. I think it\'s really the uniqueness of these hand woven textiles that make them so special, and also their multi-purpose use. I can make beach-wraps, curtains, table cloths from the fabrics and that\'s one of the main reasons I\'ve been so successful.\" 3. Various Arnold Haas in \'Trio Craft\' weaving factory in Addis 4. Various Elisabeth Kassa, Manager of Trio Craft 5. SOUNDBITE: (Amharic) Elisabeth Kassa, Manager of Trio Craft \"Arnold has helped me to start new lines and collections as he\'s giving me new ideas. Before, I used to sell only carpets but now I\'m making bags out of the carpet material. I didn\'t dream of making bags out of that textile before and so I\'m of course very happy that he\'s helping me diversify my products and assisting me in penetrating European markets.\" 6. Various \'Haile Garment\' factory in Addis Ababa 7. Various Kebede Shiferaw, Ministry of Trade and Industry 8. SOUNDBITE: (Amharic) Kebede Shiferaw, Ministry of Trade and Industry \"In order to access European and foreign markets its really very useful to work with a European who already knows the industry. It\'s obviously important to know the tastes, the colours and designs liked by people there. An expert who knows this kind of thing is useful to assist local producers and exporters here. Also, its vital to have links between European and local producers and manufacturers here.\" 9. Various Arnold Haas\'s fashion show in Addis Ababa 10. Various Meskerem Assegued, Curator of fashion show 11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Meskerem Assegued, curator of Arnold Haas\'s fashion show, Addis Ababa \"It\'s very important to have people like Arnold exposing these ancient designs and ancient textile techniques that have been going on for many years, but only known within the local community. And through his exposure I think there\'s a chance for it to survive, especially at this point of time it\'s very crucial because these types of designs and clothing are being replaced by second hand clothing and modern clothing. And by bringing it out like this, by showing what else can be done with this I think we are giving it another life and so his exposure is very important.\" 12. Various Arnold Haas and employee making bag 13. SOUNDBITE: (German) Arnold Haas, Austrian Fashion Designer \"I\'m using exclusively Ethiopian textiles to make my accessories. I\'m also using traditional designs and at the fashion shows in Paris where I \'show\' my work I\'m trying to stay away from the \'Ethnic\' styles and designs because they tend to be considered lower quality products. Using the Ethiopian\'s excellent craftsmanship, which is very high quality, I can sell the products at much higher prices.\" 14. Various Arnold Haas at home LEAD IN : Ethiopia\'s textile and cotton industry employs more than half a million people. In 2005, the gross value of production was estimated to be more than US$200 million, according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Unlike other textile producing countries much of the clothing remains inside Ethiopia for domestic markets. But one European fashion designer is beginning to change that. He\'s set up shop in Addis Ababa and is using the nation\'s ancient weaving techniques and unique designs to produce internationally appealing accessories. STORYLINE : Haas says he discovered early on that his Ethiopian designs were very popular. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/4819ad1d38db3a7ba006ea6a825675fa'
Tags: Lifestyle , Business , Western Europe , AP Archive , Ethiopia , Austria , Arts and entertainment , addis ababa , east Africa , 524902 , 4819ad1d38db3a7ba006ea6a825675fa , (HZ) Ethiopia Fashion
See also:
comments