ZAAF Collection Information

ZAAF is a collection of premium leather goods and accessories handcrafted by artisans in Ethiopia. ZAAF is a word that means “tree” in the ancient and noble Amharic language. We offer a broad range of fashion accessories for women and men including handbags, weekend and travel accessories, scarves, leather jackets and more. Abai Schulze, Founder and Creative Director of ZAAF launched her line in February 2014. Born in the Ethiopian province of Wollo, Abai echoes deep influences that span from the countryside to the capitals of the world where she has lived and studied. Her life journey has taken her from an orphanage in Addis Ababa to the United States and the rest of the world, and back to Ethiopia. She is committed to using her background in economics and fine arts to create unique and practical expressions of beauty, and to open avenues of opportunity for talented artisans and the rest of Africa. Her designs draw upon precious cultural relics and allow them renewed expression through fresh, uplifting and modern designs. Color, texture, and ageless patterns made on a traditional loom, are beautifully merged to express Ethiopian deep rooted heritage that is timeless and made to last. ZAAF’s creativity has been recognized in various ways, ranging from showing up on runways at New York Fashion Week to being featured in Elle, Lucky and Vogue, and Forbes. Also – Abai was the recipient of the 2014 UNESCO Tremplin Prize for Entrepreneurship and one of the finalists for the 2015 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship.