Handmade in Addis Ababa · Custom fit · Delivery in Addis, across Ethiopia & worldwide · +251 978 12 74 17

ሀበሻ ቀሚስ

Habesha Kemis

Traditional Ethiopian dresses, handmade in Addis Ababa. Every kemis is finished with tibeb and custom-fit to your measurements — delivered across Ethiopia and worldwide.

Model wearing a white habesha kemis with a bronze and gold tibeb halter bodice and wide tibeb hemNew

Bronze Tibeb Halter Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white off-shoulder habesha kemis with mint green and gold tibeb down the front

Mint Tibeb Off-Shoulder Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Woman wearing a full-skirted white habesha kemis with sage green floral tibeb on the bodice and hem

Sage Embroidered Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white ballgown habesha kemis with a gold tibeb bodice and a deep gold tibeb hem

Golden Tibeb Ballgown Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white off-shoulder habesha kemis with coral tibeb across the bodice and a wide coral tibeb skirt

Coral Tibeb Off-Shoulder Wedding Kemis

Price on request

Woman in a white habesha kemis with royal blue tibeb at the neckline, puff sleeves and a centre panel ending in a cross

Royal Blue Cross Tibeb Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Woman in a white habesha kemis with magenta and black tibeb down the front ending in a cross

Magenta Cross Tibeb Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Bride in a white habesha kemis with puff sleeves, rose tibeb at the neckline and a wide rose tibeb hem

Rose Tibeb Puff-Sleeve Bridal Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white halter-neck habesha kemis with a sage green and gold tibeb bodice and hem

Sage & Gold Halter Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white habesha kemis with a gold tibeb bodice and a gold panel cascading down the skirt

Gold Cascade Tibeb Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white long-sleeve habesha kemis with fine green and gold tibeb down the front and sleeves

Emerald Thread Long-Sleeve Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model holding out the skirt of a white habesha kemis with large blue, green and purple peacock-feather tibeb

Royal Peacock Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white off-shoulder habesha kemis with puff sleeves and green floral tibeb on the bodice and skirt

Green Floral Off-Shoulder Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white long-sleeve habesha kemis with a gold tibeb panel down the front and gold cuffs

Gold Panel Long-Sleeve Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white habesha kemis with red off-shoulder sleeves, a red belt and large red and gold medallion tibeb on the skirt

Red Royal Medallion Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Woman at a Ge’at celebration in a long coral and white floral dress with sheer sleeves and a veil

Coral Floral Ge’at Dress

Price on request

Model in a loose white kaftan-style dress with a red and black tibeb panel at the neckline

Tibeb Kaftan Dress

Price on request

Model in a sleeveless white habesha kemis with a pink and orange tibeb bodice and a colourful tibeb hem

Pink & Orange Tibeb Princess Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white habesha kemis with an orange and pink embroidered bodice, centre panel and a white belt

Orange & Pink Embroidered Belted Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white habesha kemis with maroon and gold tibeb at the sweetheart neckline, cap sleeves and centre panel

Maroon Tibeb Panel Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a strapless white habesha gown with silver-grey tibeb on the bodice and a deep hem of crosses

Silver Cross Tibeb Habesha Gown

Price on request

Model in an off-shoulder habesha dress with a teal woven corset bodice and a white skirt

Teal Woven Corset Off-Shoulder Kemis

Price on request

Bride in a white habesha kemis with sheer balloon sleeves, a long open overlay and coral tibeb down the front and hem

Coral Tibeb Sheer-Sleeve Bridal Kemis

Price on request

Model in a strapless habesha kemis with a mint and gold sweetheart bodice and a white skirt with tibeb hem

Mint & Gold Sweetheart Habesha Kemis

Price on request

White dress with sheer long sleeves, a pink waistband and pink and gold embroidered crosses on the bodice and skirt

Blush Pink & Gold Embroidered Dress

Price on request

Model in a habesha kemis with an emerald and white striped bodice, green tibeb down the skirt and an emerald hem

Emerald Stripe Tibeb Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Bride in a white long-sleeve dress with green and gold embroidery and a green hem, for the melse

Green & Gold Embroidered Melse Dress

Price on request

White habesha kemis on a mannequin with a deep V of brown and black tilf embroidery, long sleeves and a patterned hem

Axum Tilf Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white habesha kemis with a square neckline, short sleeves, a red belt and a skirt with large red medallions

Red Medallion Hem Habesha Kemis

Price on request

White habesha kemis on a mannequin with wide sleeves, a red key-pattern tibeb V neckline, belt and hem bands

Red Key-Pattern Tibeb Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white habesha kemis with a lavender geometric tibeb bodice, puff sleeves and a wide lavender tibeb hem

Lavender Tibeb Puff-Sleeve Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white one-shoulder habesha kemis with scattered gold embroidered crosses and a gold hem

Gold Cross One-Shoulder Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white long-sleeve habesha kemis with a blue, yellow, red and black tibeb panel, cuffs and belt

Multicolour Tibeb Long-Sleeve Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model sitting on steps in a white habesha kemis with puff sleeves and large red and pink diamond tibeb on the skirt

Red & Pink Diamond Tibeb Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a loose white habesha dress with maroon embroidery at the square neckline and scattered maroon crosses

Maroon Cross Embroidered Habesha Dress

Price on request

Model in a white habesha kemis with green and gold tibeb on the long sleeves and a wide gold tibeb hem

Green & Gold Sleeve Tibeb Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a sleeveless white habesha kemis with a black and white geometric tibeb bodice and a black tibeb hem

Black Tibeb Square-Neck Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Model in a white habesha kemis with short sleeves, a brown belt and large amber and orange medallions around the skirt

Amber Medallion Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Strapless white habesha kemis on a mannequin with a blue tibeb panel, a blue cross and blue stripes at the hem

Blue Stripe Cross Habesha Kemis

Price on request

Woman in a white habesha dress with colourful ribbon sashes and small embroidered crosses, for Ashenda

Ashenda Ribbon Habesha Dress

Price on request

Woman at a coffee ceremony in a white off-shoulder habesha kemis with multicolour tibeb on the bodice and sleeves

Multicolour Tibeb Off-Shoulder Kemis

Price on request

Woman at a coffee ceremony in a loose white kaftan dress with red tibeb at the V neckline, a red cross and red-striped sleeves

Red Cross Tibeb Kaftan Dress

Price on request

Don’t see your colour or style? We also make custom kemis. Message us with your idea.

Handmade habesha kemis from Addis Ababa

The habesha kemis (ሀበሻ ቀሚስ) is the traditional dress of Ethiopian and Eritrean women — usually white cotton, floor-length, and finished with a woven or embroidered border called tibeb (ጥበብ). It is worn to weddings and church, at Meskel and Timket, at Fasika and Enkutatash, and at every celebration where family gathers.

At Shema Wears, two sisters design each kemis in our Addis Ababa studio. We keep what makes the dress timeless — the white cotton, the tibeb, the matching netela — and bring in the cuts women love today: halter necklines, off-shoulder sleeves, full ballgown skirts.

Custom fit to your measurements

Almost every kemis we make is custom fit. Visit the studio and we measure you, or send us your measurements from home — our measurement guide shows you exactly what to measure. Standard sizes XS–XL are available too.

A kemis for every occasion

  • Weddings & melse — statement tibeb, full skirts and coordinated looks for the bride, her family and guests.
  • Holidays — Meskel, Timket, Genna, Fasika and Enkutatash.
  • Church & family gatherings — classic white with a gentle tibeb and a netela.
  • Graduations, engagements and photoshoots — modern cuts that photograph beautifully.

Delivered across Ethiopia and worldwide

We deliver in Addis Ababa, anywhere in Ethiopia by EMS, and to the diaspora worldwide by DHL — in the US, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Send us your measurements and event date, and we will confirm timing and delivery before you pay. Message us on WhatsApp or Instagram, or call +251 978 12 74 17.

Frequently asked questions

What is a habesha kemis?

A habesha kemis is the traditional dress worn by Ethiopian and Eritrean women: a long dress, usually of white cotton, decorated with tibeb — colourful woven or embroidered borders at the neckline, down the front and around the hem. It is usually worn with a netela, a light cotton shawl.

How do I order?

Choose your dress and add it to your bag, then send your order on WhatsApp or Instagram — or simply call us. We confirm the price, timing and delivery with you before you pay. See all ordering questions.

How long does a custom kemis take?

It depends on the design and how busy the studio is. Tell us your event date when you order and we will confirm whether we can have it ready in time — the earlier you order, the better.

How do I pay?

Once we confirm your order, you can pay by Telebirr, CBE Birr, bank transfer, or cash in Addis Ababa.

Can I see the dresses in person?

Yes — visit our studio 1st floor, in front of The Nest Hotel, Haya Hulet, Addis Ababa. Directions and contact details.

New to the kemis, or shopping for a big day? Read our guide to choosing a habesha kemis.