Girum Mesfin
Bahir Dar University
Girum Mesfin Ketema is an Ethiopian Designer , He currently serves at the Ministry of Skills and Labor – Federal Technical Institute (FTI), Ethiopia, where he works as a Head of Fashion Desgin With strong expertise in sustainable material innovation, and technical product development, Girum integrates research and industry practice. His academic and professional work focuses on innovative material utilization, sustainability, and performance-based design solutions. His research contributions include: * Characterization and utilization of leather solid waste into construction materials * Footwear slip resistance analysis and performance evaluation Girum is actively engaged in advancing Ethiopia’s fashion sector through design innovation and sustainable development approaches. Currently, he is preparing for the RLSD Competition 2026 with a project titled: **“Design and Development of Symbolic Fashionable Leather Garment for Indigenous Omo Valley Tribes of Ethiopia.” This project emphasizes cultural identity, symbolic aesthetics, indigenous inspiration, and modern leather fashion integration, aiming to promote Ethiopian heritage through contemporary sustainable design.