“This season’s designs,” shared the petite designer Fikirte Addis in between readying the stunningly beautiful Ethiopian supermodel Yordanos, “are about a woman functioning in this dynamic, modern world whilst still remaining true to her culture and tradition. She is proud of her origin, is confident and comfortable in her own skin.” It is an internal strife Addis has herself faced: “My past collections were reflective of my own internal dilemma: how to be cutting-edge while still in touch with the rich traditional and cultural heritage of Ethiopia.” A look at her luxe collection with hand-crocheted necklines, metres of billowing Ethiopian cotton, wool and silk would certainly find favour with a woman in search of (and aren’t we all) down-played opulence — haute couture that looks effortless, save to the discerning eye.

Those in the know will be seduced by the extravagance of the fabric — one piece boasts 12.5 metres of 100 per cent Ethiopian cotton. The Ethiopian woman, like the designer, will applaud her culture as she slips into the two-piece ensemble: yellow crinkled cotton top with a splash of tilet – authentic Ethiopian pattern worn with a sheer cotton skirt.

Little surprise, really, that Addis, who holds an MSc in Development of Pyschology, no longer feels “like there’s a dichotomy between tradition and modernity… “I feel they can mix together, complement each other…harmonise”. A front-row seat at this private presentation leaves no one disputing that minor revelation.