About Us

Growing up in Ethiopia, I always dreamed of having a doll that looked like me and my sisters. This dream stayed tucked away until one day — decades later, my sister surprised me with a handmade doll dressed in traditional Ethiopian clothes. It literally blew the doors of my memories wide open. It brought me right back to my childhood and made me feel beautiful and whole in ways I didn’t expect. 

From that moment on, I was determined to share this feeling with others by creating Lela. In Amharic, Lela, which often means different or other, is also used to connote something that is ‘out-of-this-world,’ unique, one-of-a-kind…extraordinary. For example, when someone says “Le-la neu!” it means "It's outstanding!"

During the process of making and sharing this doll with people of all ages, from many cultures, it is clear that Lela represents more than just a return to childhood. Lela is a portal to healing and imagining a loving, kind, hopeful...and dare I say flourishing and fun future for ourselves and others. 

Each Lela doll is made with a strong commitment to sustainability and care for the earth — carefully handcrafted using 100% natural fibers and completely free of harmful toxins and wasteful materials. 

I hope Lela inspires you to create, explore and imagine a world full of possibilities. 

With love,

Genet,

Founder and Creator of Lela