About Welana

Welana is a social enterprise based in Berlin, dedicated to celebrating Ethiopian weaving culture through ethically made, handwoven shawls, blankets, and towels.

Our mission is to empower artisan communities in Ethiopia by combining traditional craftsmanship with a sustainable, fair business model.

Our products are made using age-old weaving techniques and feature unique Ethiopian patterns. Each piece is created from locally sourced, natural materials — 100% Ethiopian cotton or a cotton-Eri silk blend — and handwoven under dignified working conditions. Through our work, we connect conscious consumers worldwide with the stories, skills, and spirit of the people behind every thread.

At Welana, we believe business can be a force for good. That’s why we’ve adopted a holistic approach: supporting sustainable income for artisans, advocating for slow fashion, and embracing a full-cycle mindset from production to recycling.

 

Our Ambition

Our ambition is to offer timeless textiles that become lifelong companions — products made with care and meant to be treasured. As part of the slow fashion movement, we value quality over quantity and storytelling over seasonal trends. Welana textiles are designed to inspire a sense of comfort, belonging, and purpose — every piece tells a story.

 

Our Values

Welana was founded on joy, consciousness, and empowerment. From the start, we set out to prove that making a positive impact and running a sustainable business go hand in hand. We are committed to fairness, transparency, and the respectful treatment of everyone involved in our journey — no matter where they are in the world. Our goal is to inspire mindful consumption of beautiful, unique, and responsibly made products.

Anna Papadopoulos and Welella Negussie are the founders of Welana

Welella Negussie and Anna Papadopoulos are lifelong friends who grew up together in Berlin, deeply connected to Ethiopian culture through Welella’s family roots. The idea for Welana was born during a trip to the Wenchi Crater Lake in Ethiopia, where they were moved by the beauty of the land and the potential of its people. What started as a vision became a mission: to share Ethiopia’s rich textile traditions with the world.

Welella Negussie

Born in Berlin to Ethiopian parents, Welella studied Arts and Culture in Maastricht and earned a Master's in Development Studies from SOAS in London. She lived and worked in Ethiopia for several years, including as a consultant for the United Nations in Addis Ababa. Currently based in Germany, she works in international development and is passionate about social justice, travel, and entrepreneurship.

Contact Welella at welella@welana.com

Anna Papadopoulos

Anna, a Berlin native with Greek heritage, has a background in Business Administration and a Master’s in Organisational Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Copenhagen Business School. She’s the Managing Director of Mandalah Europe, a consultancy focused on human-centric and sustainable innovation and co-founder of edusiia, the social network for education. A mother of three, Anna is driven by a desire to build a fairer, more compassionate world — one project at a time.

Contact Anna at anna@welana.com

Our Beginnings

Our passion for Ethiopian textiles and the artisans who create them inspired us to establish Welana. We searched for partners who uphold the principles of fair trade and share our love for craftsmanship. We proudly collaborate with Sabahar and Maraki (formerly Connected in Hope), two local fair trade organizations that provide dignified work, fair wages, and community impact.

Support & Thanks

Lesya Trepte

We are especially grateful to Lesya Trepte, founder of Thoya Communications, for her invaluable support in social media and marketing. Born in Ukraine and based in Berlin, Lesya shares our vision of business as a platform for meaningful change.

 

The many others we would like to thank for their continuous support are

Georg Babing, Bosena Bekele-Negussie, Fekadu Bekele-Negussie, Julia Bobenko, Simon Bonnen, Nebiat Bezabeh, Jeanine Cooper, Dawit Dejene, Henry Franz, Hewan Goethals , Dietrich Kanz, Meseret Walelgne Kanz, Rico-Thore Kauert, Florian Krüger, Katinka Lotz, Kathy Marshall, Sophie Mosko, Ryane Murnane, Lessano Negussie, Aris Papadopoulos, Niki Papadopoulos, Susanne Schneider-Papadopoulos, Pam Simpson, Mister Tesch, Weinshet Walelgne, Jonah Wedenkind.