When I first saw the handspun Ethiopian scarves with their traditional tibeb designs I was struck by their sheer beauty. They felt like silk and yet they were a blend of Ethiopian cotton and rayon . Their color palette was refined and yet vibrant, reflecting the panorama of the African landscape.

This project highlights the spirit of collaborative ventures. For without the support of Memby Designs in Ethiopia, producers of the Ethiopian Scarf of Dreams, and Creative Women, a fair trade textile company in Vermont founded by Ellen Dorsch who supports the logistics of bringing the scarves to the United States, I would not be able to help bring visibility to the plight of women in Ethiopia who struggle to gain economic independence through their creative enterprises. Together, we are able to make a difference.

Ethiopia , considered one of the world's great crossroads, is a confluence of cultures and traditions from the Middle East, Africa and the Mediterranean. It is a fragile country which suffers from drought, disease, and the consequences of a border war with its neighbor, Eritrea, which has exhausted the country's financial and human resources.

By investing in this enterprise, as with all enterprises that The Amber Chand Collection supports, we expect to highlight the courage, strength and resilience of the women of Ethiopia at this difficult time in their nation's history.