Who is Deepa Dosaja? She is one of the Africa’s top designer her couture collection was for the first time showcased at the New York Fashion Week, Studio 450 New York. With her distinctive designs, Deepa Dosaja, has firmly established her name in Kenya and has clientele across the globe.

One of Deepa Dosaja Collection

Deepa Dosaja, one of Kenya’s leading designers, was recently selected to represent Kenya at the inaugural Commonwealth Fashion Exchange that was launched recently in London. Her look was exhibited at Buckingham Palace, during London Fashion Week, on February 19/2018 and ended yesterday 20th February 2018

Deepa Dosaja Background Deepa Dosaja was born in Nairobi, Kenya. In 1977 her family relocated to Montreal, Canada, where she was to spend her childhood. It is whilst growing up in Montreal that Deepa realised her creative instincts.

On completing high school Deepa enrolled into La Salle College, Montreal from where she received a Diploma in Fashion Design. During this period Deepa also worked at a small exclusive boutique Filly and Colt (www.fillyandcolt.com/). This opportunity proved invaluable to her for the knowledge gained in various aspects of fashion.

In the early 1990’s Deepa relocated back to Kenya with an eye to launching her Fashion career. At the time the Fashion scene in Kenya was slowly ebbing into a reality. Her first assignment was Merchandising Manager or Hardcore Clothing Company a highly successful manufacturer and retailer. Deepa ventured into her own business in 1991 and primarily engaged in Haute Couture for a client base that was growing in numbers. The year 2000 saw the creation of her own distinct label and flagship company Vabene Couture. The label was elemental in bringing a stylish upscale facet to the then burgeoning Kenyan fashion scene, changing the perception of what Kenyan fashion really means among style conscious consumers.

Read more  no next  page

Page 2

Deepa Dosaja’s CompanySince inception the company has had a gradual expansion and employs twenty full-time staff, who are a core asset in the company’s vision for further growth. In 2013 the company re-branded, a result of which saw the introduction of the Deepa Dosaja label and the opening of her Flagship Boutique located at the stylish and upmarket 14 Riverside, Nairobi. This measured growth has been instrumental in ensuring the highest levels of customer service and an innate sense of quality consciousness.

Deepa Dosaja provides a bespoke made to measure service as well as an off the rack collection. Inspiration behind Deepa’s work is drawn from nature and the abundance of colours therein as well as acceptance of an ethical obligation towards the environment. This is reflected in her collections and business through the use of only natural fabrics and abstinence from using any harmful or environmentally unfriendly products. Her Boutique is a paradise of sinewy fabrics carrying a wide and fine selection of natural fabrics – silk, wool, linen and cottons. Deepa Dosaja also exclusively designs her own line of luxurious stretch silk prints. In 2015 Deepa was honored to have world renowned Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong’o wear a Deepa Dosaja outfit during her visit to Kenya.

So just keep reading…

Page 3

Deep Dosaja’s ClienteleDeepa’s clientele is widespread from Costa Rica to Toronto , Nairobi to Accra, Mumbai to Beijing. Providing for the Stylish, Confident and International Women, Deepa conceives elegant designs that are discerning and sophisticated. She has an innate capability to develop various styles, forms and silhouettes, and enjoys working with a variety of prints, textures and her trademark hand painted and embroidered floral designs. She strives to ensure that the style, the cut, the attention to detail and finishing must always flatter the feminine silhouette. Each of her lines embodies a singular uniqueness that sets them apart.

In between growing her career, Deepa alongside her husband Ajay have been graced with three wonderful children. With a view to further enhance its brand profile, in 2013 Deepa Dosaja joined the AWEP African Women’s Entrepreneurship Programme. Deepa was also the 2013 winner of Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government – Industries sector. Deepa Dosaja has played an influential role in shaping the Kenyan fashion landscape – and its image.

The innovation Deepa brings to her designs has brought abundant recognition from numerous sources. Deepa Dosaja has firmly established herself as a leading Kenyan designer in Africa.

just keep reading…

Page 4

Deepa Dosaja’s Achievements & Milestones 

• 1991 – Winner Smirnoff Kenya Fashion Awards
• 2000 – Established Vabene Couture
• 1997 – Sole Designer and joint organiser with the German Embassy in a highly successful Fashion event to raise funds for a street children rehabilitation project.
• 2003 – Kenya Fashion week. Showcased alongside Leading African fashion designer Alphadi. As a result of this fashion week, Deepa was selected to present her line at Festival International de la Mode Africaine (FIMA), in Niamey, Niger.
• 2010 – Wear It International Fashion show, Johannesburg, South Africa
• 2013 – Winner in the Industries Sector, Most Influential Woman (MIW) Kenya. Ref: www.miw.co.za
• 2013 – London Festival for African Fashion & Art
• 2013 – Opening of The Deepa Dosaja Flagship Store . Formation of Deepa Dosaja Ltd & the Deepa Dosaja Brand
• 2015 – Dressed Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong’o on her Homecoming Tour
• 2016 – Celebrated 25 years of Fashion in Africa
• 2016 – Launched Diffusion line KAYAJA
• 2017 – Presented “My Flowers” Collection at Studio 450 during New York Fashion Week

keep reading…

Page 5

Deepa Dosaja, one of Kenya’s leading designers, was recently selected to represent Kenya at the inaugural Commonwealth Fashion Exchange that was launched recently in London. Her look will be exhibited at Buckingham Palace, during London Fashion Week, on February 19. Thereafter, her designs will be exhibited at various museums in London culminating in an exhibition during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in April. For the first time, The Commonwealth will come together to showcase a wealth of design and artisan fashion talent across its 52 countries.

Deepa will be showcasing alongside other major names in the fashion industry such as Karen Walker representing New Zealand, Bibi Russell representing Bangladesh and Burberry and Stella McCartney representing the UK.

The Commonwealth Fashion Exchange is an ambitious project with long-term aims, that is being developed in partnership with Swarovski, The Woolmark Company and Matchesfashion.com, who will launch an edited collection in September this year.

The project is particularly timely as a global wave of interest in handmade products and authentic luxury causes a reassessment of the artisan fashion trades.

In this way, The Fashion Exchange brings the values of the modern-day Commonwealth – women’s empowerment, ethical production and supply chains, innovation, economic growth and poverty reduction – to life through the globally appealing medium of fashion.

Content Courtesy Of Nairobi Fashion Hub & Deepa Dosaja .com