Kangarui is all about colour, animals and nature. Each piece is custom designed using watercolour, photography and collage, carefully printed on to accessories and home decors. Inspired by the beauty of Kenya, Kangarui wish to spread positive vibes around the world through there unique art.
Kangarui products are produced by local manufacturers in Nairobi + Tokyo, with no animals used or harmed in the process.
Rui Yamashita is the artist behind Kangarui. She was born in Japan, raised in Kenya and her life experiences are reflected in each of her designs. A quirky fusion style, filled with colour and often with animals found in East Africa, she wishes to spread her safari love around the world.
Her passion has always been to get dirty and be creative by exploring all sorts of materials and tools, playing heavily with layers. Her designs were sold at Urban Outfitters, Target, BHG, Houzz, and many other stores worldwide, before she launched her own brand in September 2016.
The name ‘Kangarui’ sounds like an animal often found in Australia, but it is actually a combination of Kanga (or Khanga, a traditional textile from Kenya, often used as headscarves and sarongs) and her first name, Rui. Kanga-Rui
Content courtesy of Kangarui & Nairobi fashion hub