Wednesday 3rd of June 2026

Nairobi, Kenya

Tag: fashion business

Kenyan Born Beauty Queen Rehema Muthamia Crowned Miss England 2021

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

Miss England finalists walked the catwalk in Coventry for the last time on Friday night (August 27), the final was held at the Heart of England Conference Centre and saw the not-so-average contestants take to the stage.

The eventual winner of Miss England was 25-year-old technology consultant Rehema Muthamia, She was crowned by former champion and doctor, Bhasha Mukherjee, who held the title for two years.

The much-anticipated event was held in Coventry as part of the City of Culture 2021 celebrations, where Miss Coventry missed out after the penultimate round.

Born in North West London, Rehema spent part of her childhood living in Kenya and now works with healthcare professionals on electronic patient records.

As well as speaking four languages, she graduated in Genetics during the pandemic at the University of Sussex, Rehema said: “My family is so supportive they can’t stop talking about it, and the Kenyan community has really got behind me and wanted to support me and loved seeing someone from my heritage being represented.”

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When asked by a panel of judges what the worst experience in her life has been, she said: “I would have to say that the most difficult experience that I’ve had in life is having gone through an abusive relationship and it’s not something that people speak about, especially in young women.

“But having gone through a relationship that was abusive it helped me learn more about myself.

“In fact unfortunately the relationship and the abuse were made public in the press and it was a terrible experience having to go through that.

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“But knowing that I was able to come through that experience, learn more about myself and my worth, who I am as a woman and be able to now use this platform in Miss England, to help other women that may be in that have been in my position.”

Before scooping the top prize in the pageant, which took place at the Heart of England Conference and Events center in the Midlands city, the 25-year-old had also won the first-ever Miss All African Colours contest.

The Mr. England winner was also announced as 28-year-old Liam Royce from Banbury, Oxfordshire, Muthamia spent part of her childhood in Kenya before moving over to England and studying at the University of Sussex.

She will now represent England at the 70th Miss World in Puerto Rico and pocketed £2,000 in cash alongside a wardrobe of the evening and occasion wear, a photoshoot, a personalized website, luggage, and a glamour mirror.

Content courtesy of Daily Mail & Nairobi fashion hub 

The Fashion Internship Program Helps African Americans Teens Design Collections Create a Pop-up Store

Posted on by Fashion Tribe Influencer

Standing in front of a full-length mirror, Christian Dowdy styled customer Ryan Newman, pulling the tan T-shirt out from under the black floral hoodie and letting the tee peak out a bit.

After the slight adjustment, Dowdy, 18, couldn’t help but smile.

Not only was the teen showing Newman how to look good in his new outfit, but Dowdy had helped design the tee and sweatshirt Newman was wearing as part of the Future of Fashion summer internship program.

“To see our creations on anyone’s back I can’t wait to see them on the streets and think, ‘Oh man, we did that,’” Dowdy said.

Dowdy, a recent graduate of Harvest Preparatory School, is one of 16 Black teens from central Ohio in the two-month, immersive internship that culminated this week in the release of the clothing collection, Industry Plant, at a storefront in the Short North.

The young designers and entrepreneurs will be at 640 N. High St., through Friday showing off their streetwear line inspired by the natural beauty that can be found in urban spaces. The designs, which feature hard construction looks with floral and vine-like touchpoints, will be given away to underprivileged youths who visit the pop-up store while others can offer a donation to take home a special piece.

The Future of Fashion program teaches young designers and entrepreneurs about the fashion industry

The Future of Fashion Program, which seeks to teach young African Americans about every facet of the fashion industry while also paying them for their work, was a collaboration of two local nonprofit groups, the Columbus Fashion Alliance and My Brother’s Keeper Village.

During the first few weeks of the internship the students, ages 14 to 19 and all male except for one young woman, met with various industry leaders – buyers, designers, merchandisers, marketers – to learn that working in fashion involves more than just making clothes. They took field trips to meet Black-owned brands including Starstrukt Apparel in Reynoldsburg and the Toledo-based Midwest Kids and Mud Made.

“The best part of this is that they see people who look like them,” said Ronny Oppong, the director of the program and a Brooklyn, New York-based fashion creator who grew up on the North Side of Columbus. “You can be an entrepreneur. You can be incorporate and be a VP or a buyer. They were able to interact with all these spaces and see what they look like.”

Oppong, a 29-year-old who studied fashion merchandising at Ohio State University, said he was thrilled to come back to his hometown to lead this internship and get young Black men interested in fashion – an industry where he hasn’t seen a lot of African American mentors.

Students meet with black designers and industry leaders

Meeting Black designers and industry leaders in central Ohio was one of the most beneficial aspects of the internship, said Greg Simpson, 16 and a rising senior at the Southwestern Career Academy in Grove City.

“To see people who look like me and have had some of the same struggles I had to get to that point – that was really inspiring,” Simpson said. “It was surreal to see other people make it and let me know I can do this.”

He said the program “lit a fire under him,” especially the fact that he was paid $300 a week for his efforts, to try to make a full-time career out of fashion.

Through the summer, the students learned plenty of practical skills, too.

Kenttwon Brown, 19, said he learned how to use graphic design software, screenprint garments, and effectively implement color in his creations.

He designed a logo that he’ll use for his own brand, modeled for promotional materials, and filled a whole notebook full of advice he heard over the two months.
In fact, he said he learned more this summer than his entire freshman year studying graphic design at Central State University near Dayton.

“It was almost a dream come true,” said Brown, a 2020 graduate of Reynoldsburg High School.
But the summer wasn’t without its challenges, he added.

Pop-up store impresses mentors and customers alike

The group learned tough lessons, such a curating the best designs from so many good ideas and leaving really cool styles on the cutting-room floor.

Then, they had what seemed like the impossible task of producing the garments for the pop-up shop, deciding how much of each piece to order and setting it all up in a store setting to appeal to customers – all within a few short weeks.

“We had to think about what are we going to make and what’s on the floor,” Brown said. “What’s our inventory? What’s the main showcase? All these items are so fire that it was hard to decide what to highlight.”

Indeed, what the students produced in their pop-up store a space that used to house Lululemon Athletica and was donated for the week impressed the students’ mentors and customers, alike.

“The setup is amazing,” Newman said. “It’s really, really pretty and everything looks like what you’d see in a successful storefront.”

Passersby wouldn’t have known the store was only a temporary post filled with designs from teenagers based on the sleek interior of the store filled with posters of models showing off the clothes, racks made from industrial pipes, and the sheer variety of goods offered, from beanies with the Industrial Plant logo to pants with green flowers printed on them to myriad T-shirt options.

Looking around Monday during the first hour the store was open, instructor Kathy Hayes, who headed up the visual merchandising team, stood in awe of the environment and how confidently her students navigated the space with their eager customers.

“It’s amazing,” said Hayes, a Northeast Side resident who has worked for companies including Express and Victoria’s Secret. “They basically built this from the ground up.”

Newman, of the West Side, knew one of the interns so he stopped by that first day to check out the finished product.

“The setup is amazing,” Newman said. “It’s really, really pretty and everything looks like what you’d see in a successful storefront.”

He also loved the designs.
The teens, themselves, took time to revel in their successes.
“I’m proud of myself and I’m proud of us,” Dowdy said, echoing the sentiments of several of his teammates.

He and others said that while it’s been amazing to see what they created with Industry Plant said he’s even more eager for what the future has in store for them, whether it’s launching brands, starting modeling careers, or deciding what to pursue in college.

“On the first day, I shook everyone’s hands and I didn’t know what to expect,” Dowdy said. “I watched everyone grow and come out of their comfort zones. The personalities came out … I can’t wait to see what we do with all this.”

To learn more about the collection and how to attend the pop-up store, visit www.industryplant.org.  

Content courtesy of Dispatch & Nairobi fashion hub 

 

Africa’s Top Fashion Influencers

Posted on by Fashion Tribe Influencer

PARIS – With a steadily expanding middle class, Africa holds plenty of untapped potential for luxury brands. But who are the influencers who are moving the needle on the continent and beyond?

These days, global brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Hermès are competing with a growing number of homegrown labels, as designers like Rich Mnisi, Kenneth Ize, Hanifa, and Thebe Magugu tap into rising demand for African-made fashion.

To succeed, Western brands must harness the power of local influencers, ranging from stars of Nigerian cinema, dubbed Nollywood, to television presenters, singers, and influencers, technology company Heuritech said in a webinar titled “Discover the African Fashion Scene.”

“The narration of African fashion cannot be done without African creatives,” said Amélie Rotsen, fashion analyst at Heuritech, which offers brands fashion trend forecasting using artificial intelligence to translate pictures shared on social media into market insights.

“People are now really quick to call out a brand for cultural appropriation, so stop any narrative based on Western imagery, and try to really call those creatives to create stories that will highlight their culture, the way they know-how,” she added.

Total private wealth held in Africa is expected to rise by 30 percent over the next 10 years, reaching $2.6 trillion by 2030, according to the “Africa Wealth Report 2021” published by AfrAsia Bank. South Africa is home to the largest luxury market in Africa by revenue, followed by Kenya and Morocco.

The bank expects Ethiopia, Mauritius, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda to be the strongest-performing wealth markets in Africa over the next decade, with growth rates exceeding 60 percent. Solid growth is also forecast in Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia.

“To enter the African market, it is very important for international brands to really understand the specificity of the markets and have teams directly in the field. This is especially true for influencer communication,” said Jenna McFeely, fashion curator and trend analyst at Heuritech.

“Picking the right brand ambassador requires foreign brands to do exhaustive research on the market, along with the influential figures of a particular country or field. And lastly, it’s important to consider the weight of the diaspora,” she added.

“As a result of colonization, people of African descent are present throughout the world with their heart and their wallet lying between the Western world and their roots, and this will to consume Black[-owned brands] has been reinforced,” she said, noting the power of U.S. beauty influencers like Jackie Aina and Nyma Tang.

Among the top African influencers, she listed was Nigerian actresses Adesua Etomi and Genevieve Nnaji, who have 4.3 million and 8.2 million followers on Instagram.

Nigeria has also produced major music stars such as Burna Boy and Wizkid, who posted a message on Instagram last week saying his concert at the O2 Arena in London, scheduled for Nov. 28, sold out in 12 minutes.

“While the link between film, music, and fashion does not need to be proven anymore, these artists’ global audience and edgy style make them ideal representatives for African and international designers who are hoping to attract aspirational or entry-level consumers,” McFeely said.

Popular TV personalities include Bonang Matheba, known for her catchphrase “Champagne, darling!”, who has launched several fashion lines and her own sparkling wine brand, House of BNG, in addition to starring in the reality TV show “Being Bonang.”

Citing Nigerian public relations firm Redrick, McFeely recommended that brands targeting luxury consumers rely on high-net-worth individuals like the Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who inspired Maria Grazia Chiuri’s first collection for Dior with her essay “We Should All Be Feminists.”

“There’s also the influencer market with entrepreneur women and travel enthusiasts like Boity Thulo, who showcases the lavish side of Africa, which is aspirational, to say the least,” McFeely added.

“And finally, there’s the promise of Afro cyber influencers who might be a new fun outlet, given the success encountered by Lil Miquela, who is another virtual influencer,” she said, citing the example of digital model Ivaany.

In parallel, WWD asked data research and insights company Launchmetrics to compile data on the top five African influencers ranked by media impact value or MIV. Based on a proprietary algorithm, the measure estimates the value of coverage across social networks and in the media.

1. Mihlali Ndamase (@mihlalii_n): 1.4 million followers on Instagram, 59 percent of the engaged audience from South Africa

The makeup artist and content creator, also known as Mihlali N, bills herself as the biggest beauty YouTuber in South Africa with 345,000 subscribers.

She recently generated $143,000 in MIV for a post with Fashion Nova, $112,000 for a post with Revlon, and $80,000 for a post with Dior makeup.

Featured on Forbes Africa’s “30 Under 30” list this year, Ndamase has expanded into luxury and lifestyle content, via paid partnerships with the likes of Radisson Hotels and Protea Hotels by Marriott.

2. Temiloluwa Otedola (@temiotedola): 1.2 million followers on Instagram, 54 percent of the engaged audience from Nigeria

The daughter of Femi Otedola, a Nigerian billionaire active in sectors including energy, and younger sister of music star DJ Cuppy, Temi Otedola established her presence with the launch in 2014 of a blog covering areas spanning fashion, travel, and a book club.

Her Instagram post about Etro’s Forte Dei Marmi pop-up in June generated $113,000 in MIV, while a post with Farfetch in 2020 was worth $68,000, reflecting the progression in her follower count.

Otedola made her acting debut last year as the female lead in Nigerian director Kunle Afolayan’s film “Citation,” the story of a university student who accuses a professor of sexual harassment, which is available to stream on Netflix.

3. Kefilwe Mabote (@kefilwe_mabote): 1.2 million followers on Instagram, 56 percent of the engaged audience from South Africa

Born in the township of Soweto in Johannesburg, Mabote last year published her autobiography “Kefilwe Mabote: Influencer De Luxe – From Soweto to Milan,” which doubles as a guide to becoming an influencer.

Known for her glamorous style, she generated $49,000 in MIV for a post with Ugg in May, but can generally be seen in high-end designer clothing by the likes of Burberry, Tom Ford, and Versace. She even has a dedicated website, kefiscloset.com, to sell her castoffs.

Mabote’s personal life made headlines last year when her then-boyfriend, businessman Edwin Sodi, was caught up in a corruption scandal. She subsequently lost a defamation lawsuit against the weekly tabloid Sunday World.

4. Lesego Legobane (@thickleeyonce): 765,000 followers on Instagram, 66 percent of the engaged audience from South Africa

Photographer, plus-size model and body positivity activist Legobane known professionally as Thickleeyonce also has her own online clothing store, Leebex.

A recent post with Fashion Nova Curve generated $39,000 in MIV; another with Bombay Sapphire was worth $63,000, and a third for Beyoncé’s Ivy Park collection with Adidas generated $50,000.

Legobane revealed last year that she had been selected as an influencer for Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty lingerie line, but last week called out the brand on Twitter for not offering any pay. The tweet was subsequently taken down, but she posted a separate message that read: “Pay Influencers. Creating Content Is Work.”

5. Sarah Langa (@sarahlanga), 579,000 followers on Instagram, 61 percent of the engaged audience from South Africa

A close friend of fellow influencer Kefilwe Mabote’s, Langa landed her first paid gig with South African department store chain Woolworths in 2015. She has frequently countered criticism from haters by highlighting her academic achievements, which she lists on her Instagram biography.

Langa works with a variety of brands including hairstyling appliances company GHD and mobile phone maker Samsung. She generated $31,000 in MIV for a recent post with fast-fashion e-tailer PrettyLittleThing; $26,000 with Nespresso, and $16,000 with Patrón Tequila.

One of her most recent Instagram posts shows her unboxing an Hermès Birkin handbag in a promotion for luxury goods sourcing service Aquarius Luxury Concierge.

Content courtesy of WWD & Nairobi fashion hub

 

 

Rihanna Is Officially a Billionaire

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

Rihanna, the singer of hits such as Umbrella and We Found Love, is officially a billionaire and the world’s richest female musician.

However, most of her fortune, estimated on Wednesday by Forbes magazine to be $1.7bn (£1.2bn), does not come from chart-topping singles, but from the success of her cosmetics empire.

Rihanna’s real name Robyn Fenty launched Fenty Beauty in 2017 with a dream to create a cosmetics company that made “women everywhere feel included”.

The singer, who has described makeup as her “weapon of choice for self-expression” while growing up, said she was driven to create her own range because established brands did not provide a full choice of products for all varieties of skin types and tones. The brand boasted foundation in 40 different shades when it first launched to “make skin look like skin” and has since expanded to 50.

Rihanna, 33, launched the beauty brand, of which she owns 50%, with the French luxury conglomerate LVMH in 2017. In its first year, Fenty Beauty achieved sales of $550m, far more than other celebrity-endorsed makeup ranges. Forbes magazine estimates that the company is now worth “a conservative $2.8bn”.

Her stake in the company, combined with a 30% stake in the lingerie line Savage X Fenty and money generated during her 16-year career as a recording artist, take Rihanna’s fortune to $1.7bn, according to Forbes. That makes her the second wealthiest female entertainer on the planet after Oprah Winfrey, who is sitting on a fortune estimated at $2.7bn.

Bernard Arnault, LVMH’s chairman and chief executive, and the world’s third-richest person with an estimated $179bn fortune have said: “Everyone knows Rihanna as a wonderful singer, but through our partnership at Fenty Beauty, I discovered a true entrepreneur, a real CEO, and a terrific leader.”

Commenting on Rihanna’s success, Shannon Coyne, the co-founder of the consumer products consultancy Bluestock Advisors, said: “A lot of women felt there were no lines out there that catered to their skin tone. It was light, medium, medium-dark, dark. We all know that’s not reality. Fenty Beauty was one of the first brands that came out and said: ‘I want to speak to all of those different people.’”

Rihanna is not the first celebrity to make a fortune from cosmetics. Kylie Jenner, the youngest member of the Kardashian-Jenner American reality-TV family, became the world’s youngest billionaire in 2019 at the age of 21 thanks to the success of Kylie Cosmetics, the makeup company she runs largely from her iPhone. Her sister, Kim Kardashian West, also has a cosmetics business, KKW Beauty, while the actor Jessica Alba runs the beauty and wellness brand Honest Co.

Content courtesy of The Guardian & Nairobi fashion hub  

Issa Rae Marries Longtime Beau Louis Diame in Custom Vera Wang Dress

Posted on by Fashion Police

Congratulations, Issa Rae! Earlier today, the actor, writer, and producer announced her marriage to her long-term boyfriend, businessman Louis Diame, in an Instagram post, including plenty of images of both the spectacular South of France setting and her dreamy custom Vera Wang Haute dress.

With the ceremony taking place at the legendary Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, known for its luxurious trappings, stunning sea views, and a guestbook that includes everyone from Queen Victoria to Elizabeth Taylor, Rae decided to pull out all the stops for her and her friends to celebrate.

Issa Rae is a married woman!

The Insecure star, 36, revealed that she married longtime beau Louis Diame on Sunday, July 25, sharing glamorous photos from her destination wedding on Instagram. She tagged the post’s location as Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which is a commune in the South of France.

In the wedding photos, Rae smiles in her custom Vera Wang gown, as well as in romantic snapshots with her new husband, who wore a red Dolce & Gabbana suit.

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If the news comes as something of a surprise, you’re not alone. While Rae is known for her unguarded humor on her breakout web series The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl and more recently in her hit Emmy-nominated show Insecure, when it comes to her personal life, she is notably more private. (Indeed, there have only been a handful of red carpet appearances to indicate that she and Diame were even dating, let alone planning to tie the knot.)

In a 2018 interview with Vogue’s Abby Aguirre, she politely waved away any questions about her love life. “I don’t want any input,” she said. “As a writer, you put everything on the table. I’ll take input on kids if I’m going to have kids. How do I not kill the kids? Work? Give me the input. Any other aspect of my life? Give me the input. But who I’m fucking? No, I don’t need input. I’m good.”

So naturally, she opted to share the news her own, gently tongue-in-cheek way. Posting pictures of the “impromptu photoshoot” that happened on the big day, she noted that “the girls came to help me, but they all coincidentally had on the same dress! They were sooooo embarrassed.” (If you’re wondering who she’s referring to here, it’s her bridesmaids.)

As for the romantic shots of her and Diame, who wore a custom red velvet Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo, she simply described herself as having “taken a few flicks with Somebody’s Husband.” Classic Côte d’Azur glamour with a touch of her signature wry humor? From Issa Rae, we wouldn’t expect anything less.

Content courtesy of Vogue & Nairobi fashion hub 

Afreximbank and  Portugal’s ANJE to Promote the African Textile Industry

Posted on by Fashion Tribe Influencer

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Portugal’s National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE), have announced a three-year partnership to support and promote Africa’s fashion apparel and textile manufacturing industry in Portugal and across Europe. This partnership is part of Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) program.

CANEX aims to facilitate investments in Africa’s creative and cultural economy through financing, capacity building, export and investment promotion, digital solutions, linkage, and partnership promotion, and policy advocacy, the two entities said in a joint press release.

Within the framework of this partnership, ANJE, through its fashion project called Portugal Fashion, will provide African designers with showcasing platforms, facilitate their access to international markets and strengthen their capacities through business mentoring and technical assistance in apparel production. In the long-term, Afreximbank and ANJE aim to attract more investment opportunities into the sector while developing the technical skills of African industry players, thereby improving Africa’s manufacturing and production capabilities.

The cultural and creative industries of Africa, with the right investments, can contribute to the structural transformation of the continent, thereby creating jobs and increasing exports and other development outcomes. The partnership between Afreximbank and ANJE aims to address the challenges faced by African designers, providing them with the opportunity to access international markets while building their capacity through brand incubation.

The program is designed to promote at least 40 African designers annually on Portugal Fashion’s runways. Designers will also benefit from networking opportunities with international industry experts, retailers, manufacturers, and other key stakeholders. The inaugural fashion showcase will take place in Porto, Portugal from October 13-16, 2021.

In addition to this event, Afreximbank and ANJE have structured a partnership to advise and support European and Portuguese companies seeking to invest in Africa, where ANJE will act as a one-stop-shop for investors looking into Africa and seeking advisory services and support from both Afreximbank and ANJE.

Prof Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, said: “We believe that the vast creative talent pool on the continent is an opportunity to accelerate Africa’s economic transformation. Through CANEX the bank is providing tangible support for the development of an ecosystem to monetize the creative sector and increase its contribution to Africa’s economy under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”

Manuel Mota, vice president of ANJE, said: “The creative industries in Africa have immense potential to become key drivers for economic growth and I believe this initiative will have a positive and sustainable impact. It is a privilege for ANJE to host and work together with Afreximbank on this important milestone.”

Content courtesy of Fabire 2 Fashion & Nairobi fashion hub 

Prudent Gabriel Turning passion into a Fashion Empire

Posted on by Fashion Police

She is fast becoming the choicest of celebrities, and an emblem of African fashion in a world of numerous fashion and beauty stylists, with a dynamic market where only the strong can thrive and expand.

Also, the business of designing and styling is becoming even more prominent and ubiquitous. In this competitive and ever-growing industry is where she has taken advantage of her love for fashion, as she is creatively aggrandizing her brand and fashion entrepreneurship to top-echelon.

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Multiple award-winning fashion designer and the CEO, creative head of Prudential Styling and Prudential Fashion Academy, a fashion empire located in Lagos, Prudent Gabriel, has been in the fashion designing and styling industry for a while now. Her journey has not been a smooth ride but she has remained relevantly consistent for the past three years.

According to the Lagos-based fashion Designer and styling expert who quit her job as a waitress to pursue fashion, “fashion and modeling is something I had always wanted to do most. I was working as a waitress and I making tired of the job because there was no satisfaction. I could not create time for myself and my passion, and at the end of the day, I just had to resign and moved on to my passion full-time.”

Starting out was a very daunting task, being a low-profile design with a small shop in the industrial city of Lagos, Prudent had gone through many challenges. It was difficult to convince clients of her dexterity because no one was willing to be a lab rat for a neophyte in the business.

The Nigerian fashion market was highly competitive and mostly embraced accomplished designers, so it was an arduous undertaking for novices to break in. Another challenge for her was creating unique designs that no one else has ever styled. “Also, working with difficult customers is also very pressurizing because you’re trying to prove your worth. I keep designing even when I don’t have people ordering for them, I make sure always have clothes up there, I post about them, ask my friends to share and that’s how I kept pushing till the brand got this big.” Prudent said.

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Today, her list of clients at Prudential Styling is endless, but, she mentions Tim Godfrey and Xtreme Crew, Debbie Rise of Big Brother Naija Season 2, Naomi Mac of Nigerian Idol, and Queen B of Ultimate Love as some of her celebrity clients. With Prudential Fashion Academy, she has produced over 150 fashion designers and has received multiple awards for her service and excellence in the fashion industry.

Prudent’s role models in the industry are Matopeda, YomiCasual, Valdrin Sahiti, and Veekee James who make bespoke outfits. She advises other young designers who draw inspiration from her works to be ready to work very hard and give it they’re all. Keep positive people around themselves and make sure their circle consists of people that are helping them grow, people that encourage them every day.

With her passion and goal-driven momentum, Prudent Gabriel has grown from her small shop into a highly valuable fashion empire.

The fashion world has only been better since the presence of her brand, with more hopes for the future.

Content courtesy of Vanguard & Nairobi fashion hub  

10 Creative Ways to Shrink your Jeans

Posted on by Fashion Police

Denim jeans are the type of clothing that you never miss in a closet. Jeans are comfortable and easy to rock. With a fitting t-shirt and jacket on top, you can rock your jeans like a fashionista. But what happens when your jeans start getting baggy in select areas? You do not throw them away; you learn how to shrink jeans.

Can you permanently shrink jeans?

It is almost impossible. You can, however, shrink it to the size you want for a while. Permanent shrinkage of jeans will only damage them. How to shrink jeans with ease There are several methods of how to shrink stretch jeans. Most are DIY methods and can be done at home without help from a second party.

The main element in the shrinkage of jeans for most methods is water. Learn how to how to shrink Levi jeans using the following tips:

1. The Boiling Method

Turn your jeans inside out and put them inside a pan or pot of boiling water. Ensure that the entire jeans outfit is submerged. Let it stay there for about 30 minutes. Drain and squeeze out the excess water. This takes a while to ensure there is no excess water. Put the jeans in a dryer and set the dryer to high heat. Once dry, remove the jeans.

2. Have Leggings Underneath

Leggings are light and comfortable. Many wear them during cold months to keep away the cold. But did you know that they also come in handy when you want to constrict your jeans?

Wearing leggings underneath your jeans will provide sufficient snugness to your legs. The best thing about leggings is that they are light and so no one will notice what you have under your jeans.

3. Take a Bath with Your Jeans On

Get into a hot bathtub and ensure that your outfit is submerged for half an hour. Then, get out of the tub and stay with your jeans on for another 15 minutes. Your attire will mold properly, taking the shape of your figure. Then, carefully remove it and put it in a dryer.

4. Crank Up The Heat On The Dryer

This is another easy method of shrinking your jeans to the size you want. Cranking up the heat on the dryer will make the cotton fibers tighten and shrink on your jeans.

5. Sewing In a New Seam

The method requires patience and skill. You can look for a local sewer to do it for you if you are unsure how to go about it. Tear the old seam of the leg of your pants and make a new, tighter one. You can also sew a 6- to 7-inch piece of elastic into the inside back of your waistband if the area appears larger for you.

6. Use Fabric Softener

A fabric softener can be used to constrict jeans. First, mix 3/4 water and 1/4 fabric softener into a clean bottle and spray the areas on the jeans that require a little straightening. Finally, place the jeans into the dryer set until they are dry.

7. Wash and Dry in a Hot Dryer

How many washes does it take to shrink jeans? It takes up to 5% shrinkage with a single wash. This, however, depends on the amount of heat and steam. The more you want your jeans to shrink, the more you wash. Can jeans shrink in the dryer? Absolutely. This method is simple and will only take a few minutes. The temperature regulations help in constricting your outfit.

8. Ironing

Ironing is one of the easiest methods of constricting jeans and requires little effort. Quickly apply direct heat on the areas of the jeans that need straightening. You can also iron the entire jeans if you want to. Then, allow the jeans to cool down before you can wear them.

9. Don’t Forget Your Belt

Do you know how to shrink jeans at the waist? Use your belt. Other than helping one fit their pants and appear as accessories to the outfit people rock, belts also come in handy when you want to shrink your jeans. This method may not be as effective as the methods shared above, but the belt works wonders in making your jeans fit properly and not appear baggy.

10. Look For a Tailor

When all has failed, look for a tailor in your neighborhood and tell them how you want your jeans shrunk. Tailors and fashion designers do some neat work and will deliver your desired shape and size of jeans after taking your measurements. What is one great thing about denim? It can be worn year-round. With the above tips, it will be easy to learn how to shrink jeans. All it takes is persistence and commitment.

Content courtesy  of YEN & Nairobi fashion hub 

 

 

Fashionomics Africa, Google Train African Fashion Entrepreneurs in Digital Marketing Strategies

Posted on by Fashion Police

The African Development Bank’s Fashionomics Africa initiative and Google held a 2-hour virtual masterclass on using digital tools and social media for African fashion entrepreneurs.

The online session, on 2 July, aimed to equip African fashion entrepreneurs with tools to plan and execute a digital marketing strategy; how to use social media and e-mail effectively; and creating a digital presence using Google digital tools. Building a brand and engaging with customers and potential customers is one of the key challenges faced by African entrepreneurs, particularly the youth and women.

“We are very excited to collaborate with the African Development Bank to support fashion entrepreneurs in Africa, especially during the pandemic,” said Khadija Abdul Juma, a marketing specialist at Grow with Google, an initiative supporting African entrepreneurs and small businesses across Africa. Women Will Africa, an initiative that supports women to take advantage of the Internet, also participated.

Since the onset of the pandemic, e-commerce has grown considerably, with total global retail sales estimated to exceed $5.8 trillion this year

“To be competitive in our changing world, African creatives need to be well-armed with greater digital skills and tools. Technology and digital tools must be at the heart of their businesses if they want to amplify their voices and join the global fashion sphere,” said Bintou Sadio Diallo, cultural and creative industries expert at the African Development Bank.

Fashionomics Africa intends to attract foreign direct investment in the African textile, apparel, and accessories industry and support the growth of micro, small and medium-sized businesses – with an emphasis on women and youth. Through the Fashionomics Africa program, the African Development Bank works with public and private sector partners to develop local, regional, and international textile and fashion value chains, taking advantage of the opportunities arising from the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

For more information about Fashionomics Africa and to sign up for the next masterclass, click here. To (re)watch the session, click here.

Content Courtesy of Fashionomics Africa

VDJ 2021 Fashion: Lindeka Duma wins Young Designer Award

Posted on by Fashion Tribe Influencer

Pietermaritzburg School of Fashion student, Lindeka Duma won the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Award. Here are the top three looks.

Fashion design student Lindeka Duma from the Pietermaritzburg School of Fashion won the Vodacom Durban July (VDJ) Young Designer Award, announced on 2 July.

Due to the pandemic, the annual VDJ event took place behind closed doors at Hollywood bets Grayville Racecourse in Durban.

Pietermaritzburg School Of Fashion Takes Top Two Spots

The Young Designer Award was presented by Durban Fashion Fair under the theme was Birds of a Feather. The judging panel included industry experts Leigh Schubert, Greg Wallis, Nonku Mthembu Lara Klawikowski, and Derrick Mhlongo.

On 22 June, the top ten finalists for the Young Designer Award were announced and the top three finalists a week later. The Pietermaritzburg School of Fashion secured three spots in the top 10 and two in the top three with Lindeka Duma coming in the first place and her classmate Vincent Orishidere as the first runner up. Zandile Mahlasela from Lindiwe Kuzwayo Academy of Fashion was the second runner-up.

Lindeka Duma’s Winning Outfit

Lindeka Duma designed a black guinea fowl-inspired bodysuit made from Shweshwe fabric, with layers of handmade plaited rope that form a colorful bodice and a matching bold hat.

The first runner-up, Orishdere designed a vibrant burnt orange and beige streetwear outfit while the second runner-up, Mahlasela put together a blue ice dress with triangular feathers. See the three looks below.

 

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 “The standard was exceptionally high this year, and in having to decide on the top ten and top three, it was very difficult as there were so many great entries that showed good research and thought processes,” said Wallis according to IOL.

“But sadly couldn’t find a way into the next round,” he added

Duma has won R10 000 from the Gold Circle, a two night local hotel holiday from Bold Travel, a year of hair by Claire from Hair Inc, R5 000 gift voucher from Gateway Theatre of Shopping, a Samsung Galaxy S9, R3 000 Kryolan hamper and more.

“Congrats to my self for winning on Vdj2021 young designers, I am over the moon  I still not believe that I am not dreaming!!!” wrote Duma on Instagram.

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Content courtesy of The South African & Nairobi fashion hub 

Global Fashion Group appoints Andre Farber as Dafiti’s new CEO

Posted on by Fashion Police

Global Fashion Group (GFG) has announced the appointment of Andre Farber as chief executive officer of Dafiti, to lead its online platform in Latin America (LATAM).

Commenting on the new appointment, Christoph Barchewitz, Co-CEO of Global Fashion Group, said: “As the demand for eCommerce and more online consumer categories continues to accelerate, Andre’s extensive knowledge of the local market, deep connection to the LATAM consumer, and expansive network, will be invaluable in taking Dafiti into this next chapter.”

The company said, with more than 20 years of experience, Farber will join Dafiti from Boticario Group where he served most recently as the company’s vice president, responsible for retail operations, brand and product development, channel strategy, and commercial relationships.

Throughout his 11 year tenure at Boticario Group, GFG added, Farber was involved in transforming Boticario from a mono-brand, mono channel company to a multi-brand, multi-channel business and ultimately, growing Boticario Group into one of the biggest cosmetic companies in Brazil. He expanded the business into new LATAM markets, and with a focus on e-commerce, was also involved in the development of Boticario’s digital channels.

“It’s a privilege to be joining the market leader for online fashion & lifestyle in LATAM as it celebrates 10 years of pioneering in the industry. Dafiti’s vision and purpose to revolutionize the online fashion ecosystem, is something I connect to on both a professional and personal level,” added Farber.

Prior to his role at Boticario, Farber spent over a decade at Bain & Company advising mainly consumer goods and retail clients in Brazil and other Latin American markets.

Content courtesy of Fashion United 

Facebook Africa launches ‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ ahead of Africa Day – Celebrating Africa’s Growing Cultural Impact on the World

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

As part of its celebration around ‘Africa Day’ on 25th May, Facebook (www.Facebook.com) announced the launch of its global campaign titled: ‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ – a series of short films unveiling the stories of eight phenomenal creatives and small business owners from across the continent who are breaking ground across the world.

Available to view on a dedicated ‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ microsite and the official Facebook Africa page from 21st May 2021, the films provide a glimpse into the global successes of African creatives and businesses hailing from Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Gabon.

This includes fashion designer Laduma Ngxokolo from South Africa, whose clothing brand ‘Maxhosa’ has been worn by global names such as Beyonce and Alicia Keys, and most recently had his designs featured in the film ‘Coming to America 2’. Also featured are Sauti Sol, a collective Afro-pop music group hailing from Kenya who have gained international recognition with nominations and shows in Europe and the US, and Mark Angel, a Nigerian comedian who has amassed over 15 million global followers on Facebook. The series is aimed at showcasing, hero’ing, and honouring the people that are impacting Africa, as well as the world, through their music, arts, and crafts.

Included in the ‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ campaign are:

  • Mai Atafo (Nigeria) Fashion designer and bespoke tailor

  • Lafalaise Dion (Côte d’Ivoire) Fashion designer and visual artist

  • Jessica Allogo (Gabon) Founder of Les Petits Pots de l’Ogooué Garmout Food brand

  • Blinky Bill (Kenya) Musician, DJ, Rapper, and Producer

  • Sauti Sol (Kenya) International award-winning Afro-pop group

  • Lola Pedro (Nigeria) Founder of Pedro’s Premium Ogogoro drinks brand

  • Mark Angel (Nigeria) Digital comedian, scriptwriter, and video producer

  • Laduma Ngxokolo (South Africa)  Founder of fashion brand Maxhosa and creative artist

Nunu Ntshingila, Regional Director, Facebook Africa, said “At Facebook, we’re deeply invested in the creative industry in Africa, and nowhere is it more exciting to witness this vibrant creative scene than here on the continent. These people and businesses are changing the way Africa is seen, not just in Africa, but around the world, and are cementing our position as leaders in innovation and the creative industries.

We know that Africa is the future, and in honour of ‘Africa Day’ and the Africa Union’s 2021 celebration of African ‘Arts Culture And Heritage’, ‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ is our way of recognizing just some of these remarkable individuals who continue to inspire the world.”

As part of the ‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’ campaign, Facebook will be creating dedicated ‘Africa Day’ Facebook profile frames available to Facebook users, and holding free virtual training for SMBs and Creators across Africa through its local training partners. Focused on providing other upcoming creatives and entrepreneurs with the digital know-how to take their ideas global, these will focus on creativity and Instagram including how to creatively engage with your audience through Instagram; Reels school, Interactivity in stories, and how to get creative with ads.

Media Contact:
Idea Engineers
PR agency for Facebook Africa
facebook@ideaengineers.co.za

Content courtesy of Africa News & Nairobi fashion hub 

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