Saturday 18th of April 2026

Nairobi, Kenya

Tag: African Fashion Style

Beyoncé’s Black Parade Route catalog giving African owned businesses a boost

Posted on by Fashion Police

Designs from the new Anyango Mpinga collection are worn by 3D avatar models. Kenya’s Mpinga is behind one of the businesses featured on Beyoncé’s website.

Anyango Mpinga woke up August 1 to multiple social media comments and messages informing her that her fashion brand was featured on the website of one of the most popular entertainers in the world  Beyoncé.

“There was a comment from one of my followers on Instagram that said, “Oh, your work is featuring on Beyoncé.”
“I was confused at first because as far as I knew, I hadn’t sent Beyoncé anything,” Mpinga said, laughing.

The fashion designer from Kenya would later find out that her business Anyango Mpinga had been listed as part of the “Black Parade Route,” a directory of Black- and African-owned small businesses curated by Beyoncé and Zerina Akers.

Akers is Beyoncé’s stylist and the founder of Black Owned Everything, a compilation of businesses across various fields run by Black entrepreneurs.

Black Parade Route

Black Parade Route highlights brands and businesses across different industries, including restaurants, beauty, arts, and design, as well as multiple fashion brands from different countries in Africa.

The directory was released alongside a song titled “Black Parade” on Juneteenth. The June 19 holiday celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It’s the anniversary of the day in 1865 when news of their emancipation reached slaves in Galveston, Texas.

“Happy Juneteenth Weekend! I hope we continue to share joy and celebrate each other, even in the midst of struggle. Please continue to remember our beauty, strength, and power,” the singer wrote on Instagram at the time. “‘BLACK PARADE’ celebrates you, your voice and your joy and will benefit Black-owned small businesses.”

Mpinga told CNN that she is a fan of Beyoncé and was excited to see that the award-winning musical artist had posted her brand on the website.

Through her brand, the 36-year-old designs and produces re-imagined white shirts, bold prints, jewelry, and leather bags.
“I was excited to see that my business is on Beyoncé’s site. And I was also thrilled to see so many beautiful brands that she wore in her album on the website, and I loved them,” she said.

More visibility

Being featured on Beyoncé’s website is giving many African owned businesses greater visibility and by extension more customers, according to Edwin Okolo.
Like Mpinga, Okolo’s fashion brand, Studio Imo, was spotlighted on Black Parade Route.

“I was not expecting it at all because I am a small brand … I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had been featured,” he told CNN.

The 33-year-old Nigerian has been running his business since 2013 and makes dresses and jumpsuits, knitting them by hand.
Since the feature, he has noticed a lot more activity on his business page with people pre ordering some of his designs, he said.

“A lot of people are showing interest. I have already gotten new commissions and more people have ordered from the online store. I don’t know how that will play out in the long term but just being recognized has been very good for my brand,” he added.

Mpinga said her brand has also attracted more attention.

“It brought a wider audience to my platform. What has happened is that I’ve been getting a lot more requests from people asking how they can get the pieces from my collection, people wanting to make orders,” she explained.

‘There are many Black creatives’
Mpinga said that the directory is proof that there are many Black and African creatives across different industries.

“The industry has been saying they don’t know where to find Black designers or good creators, it has been an excuse for a long time with the big retailers,” she said.

Edwin Okolo’s brand, Studio Imo, designs and produces handmade dresses and jumpsuits in Nigeria.

“What Beyoncé has done is show everyone where to find these creatives so that there are no more excuses,” she added.
And while Okolo is excited that Beyoncé is featuring businesses on her website, he said he hopes the singer and her team will give an additional boost to brands by promoting them outside Black Parade Route.

“It is wonderful to see Africans get this kind of platform without doing anything extra but I am hoping more can be done in terms of PR. I don’t know if that will happen in the near future.”

Beyonce Knowles Carter released her latest surprise single, “Black Parade” on Juneteenth last week. Along with the release of the single, she launched an initiative that supports Black owned businesses

She brought the song and the news to her Instagram account where she has more than 149 million followers. “BLACK PARADE” celebrates you, your voice, and your joy and will benefit Black-owned small businesses,” she states.

Content courtesy of CNN & Nairobi fashion hub

Nicki Minaj Announces Her Pregnancy, Expecting Her First Child With Kenneth Petty

Posted on by Fashion Police

Nicki Minaj revealed that she’s expecting her first child with husband Kenneth Petty. Get the details on her pregnancy announcement!

She is going to be a new mom!

On Monday, July 20, the superstar rapper took to Instagram to confirm that she’s pregnant. In a series of photos on the social media platform, a bikini-clad Minaj can be seen cradling her baby bump. The 37-year-old star captioned one of her posts, “#Preggers.”

Shortly after announcing her baby news, Minaj thanked her fans for the well wishes. “Love. Marriage. Baby carriage. Overflowing with excitement & gratitude,” she wrote.

This will be her first child with husband Kenneth Petty, who she wed in Oct. 2019 after more than a year of dating. As fans might recall, Minaj and Petty obtained a marriage license in July 2019, months before officially announcing the news.

“I think I have what I was striving for, just happiness,” Minaj previously confessed. “It was so hard to get to a happy place. Now that I’m there, I don’t want to compromise that for anyone or anything.”

Minaj has also previously shared that she was looking forward to becoming a mother and was willing to give up her career to achieve that dream.

“I’ve decided to retire and have my family,” she tweeted in September 2020. “I know you guys are happy now.”

She later said in May that she was “throwing up,” experiencing “nausea and peeing non stop,” which prompted questions about whether she was pregnant. She wouldn’t confirm or deny a pregnancy, but when asked if she would share a pic of her baby bump, she responded, “Yea in a couple months. The world ain’t ready yet.”

Prior to her relationship with Petty, Minaj was in a relationship with Meek Mill. However, the stars called it quits in 2017. Minaj was also previously in a longterm relationship with Safaree Samuels.

Content courtesy of E-News and Nairobi fashion hub Online Digital Team

Who is Kenya’s best dressed politician?

Posted on by Paul Oloo

Best dressed politicians in Kenya

Who is the best-dressed politician in Kenya? It’s difficult to pick just one.

All of us human beings like to compete. In anything and everything.  Particularly us men. And the dress-up fashion department is one we like to compete in. Especially for men with resources. And the government is, of course, full of such men. Politicians with a tonne of personal resources. Businessmen who have worked really hard to get to where they are. Well, most of them anyway.

In a room full of wealthy gentlemen it takes special fashion skills to be able to stand out.

Now, I’m certain you’ve already seen a lot of lists online. Lists on the best-dressed politicians in Kenya. Random lists with very little detail and know-how. Lists that have been put together just for the sake of it.

This is not one of those lists. Because at Nairobi fashion hub we like to take the business of fashion very seriously. So here’s a well thought out video we came across on Lee Makwiny’s youtube channel. It breaks down 2 of the best-dressed politicians in Kenya. It does so by very systematically assessing each politician’s sense of style. And not only that. It leaves you feeling inspired to up your fashion game as well. Particularly if your man. Because Kenyan men can sometimes tend to get lazy with their dressing. I’m sure you’ve heard the complaints from our women. I’ve had multiple women tell me. “I went for our date in a lovely wedding gown that took me weeks to save up for. And he showed up in a t-shirt and jeans. What a waste!” Don’t let that be you.

So without further ado. Here are 2 of the best-dressed politicians in Kenya. Enjoy and draw fashion inspiration.

 

Erika Akoth Personal Fashion Stylist

Posted on by Fashion Police

Erika Akoth owner and founder of Erika A. Style Concept store, has worn many hats she is an avid traveler, a keen collector, a fashion curator, a stylist, and a former designer and model.
She has traveled the world, carefully collecting each piece that features at the store, from a variety of runways, designers, and craftsmen and women.

Erika A. Style has a keen eye for detail and beauty, and it matters that each collected and curated piece tells a story.

Erika Akoth is the curator behind the brand. She is a fashion and personal stylist, multi-label fashion curator and high end personal shopper. Erika has been involved in the fashion industry for more than twelve years. During this time, she has worked as a personal stylist, modeled for a variety of high-fashion projects and shopped for a range of private clients around the world.

She now owns and runs Erika A. Style, a luxury fashion concept store, in her home country, Kenya.

Akoth studied culinary arts but while she enjoyed cooking, she was also tired of the daily routine of creating in the background  she wanted something bigger and more fulfilling. She soon discovered that fashion was her missing ingredient.

Her love for food still informs her creative sense for fashion, and she believes that the secret to good fashion like good cooking lies with knowing how much is needed.

Scarabs are Erika A’s statement piece. She credits this to Steve Tyler whom she met at an event once, trying to get an autograph after one of his events. Tyler’s words to her on seeing her Scarab piece were, ‘what a beautiful statement piece!”

Erika has since worn them to many more events, believing they are her lucky charm.  She enjoys curating clothes, collecting art, decorating spaces and creating beauty in as many spheres as she can.

Content courtesy of Erika A. Style & Nairobi fashion hub

Erika A. Style

Posted on by Fashion Police

Erika Akoth is the founder and C.E.O of Erika A. Style is a fashion concept store located in leavy suburb of Karen off Bogani In Nairobi

The concept store has a variety of unique pieces collected from different parts of the world, the pieces are curated from luxury brands, fashion runways, designer stores, small boutiques and upcoming designers. Each piece is the only one of its kind, and once sold out, will not be re-stocked.

Personal stylist Erika Akoth at her Karen shop

Erika Akoth owner and founder of Erika A. Style Concept store, has worn many hats she is an avid traveler, a keen collector, a fashion curator, a stylist, and a former designer and model.
She has traveled the world, carefully collecting each piece that features at the store, from a variety of runways, designers, and craftsmen and women. Erika A. Style has a keen eye for detail and beauty, and it matters that each collected and curated piece tells a story.

The store offers a range of items from the fashion world: jewelry, clothes, shoes, hats and a variety of accessories including hats, scarfs and brooches. Erika A. Style’s signature piece is the Scarab and the store also features an eclectic range of scarab pieces including brooches, necklaces, printed scarves, rings and wrist bangles.

Erika A. Style Concept Store has been open since 2017. The store is located on Karen Road, off Bogani in Nairobi, Kenya. It operates on appointment only and clients are requested to call or email to make an appointment before visiting.

Content courtesy of Erika A. Style & Nairobi fashion hub 

Ichyulu

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

Ichyulu (ee・chew・lu) is derived from “Chyulu Hills” which means “Spotted Hills” and is a mountain range in Eastern Kenya.
Established in 2016, Ichyulu is a concept store featuring hand-selected pieces from African Fashion and Design brands. Nairobi is our home but we host a wide variety of designers from the continent whom we have gotten to know through our travels and social media.

Oliver wears the Sehemu Necklace and Vipande Necklace both by Nyumbani Design (Tanzania). Background features Shine Shine fabrics (SA)

As a lover of African fashion and design, Ichyulu was set up to provide a platform that would connect designers with potential consumers and serve as an alternative distribution channel.

Fashion store Ichyulu, which launched in January 2016, has just teamed up with Kenyan photographer Migwa Nthigah and local style bloggers  to create a series that celebrates Nairobi’s growing style scence.

Nancie Mwai fashion blogger Wearing: Neon 27 black and white cropped pants, Urbano Gallery nude chain bag, Angelos nude pumps, Adams khaki blouse.

Ichyulu’s focus is to provide a curated retail experience for those who seek unique pieces to match their individual style. Part of our ethos is to celebrate the diversity of African fashion and design through showcasing the use of local materials , sustainable practices, custom prints and craftsmanship through a modern lens. We hand select everything and we make sure we love it first before we introduce it on the platform.

Nancie Mwai fashion blogger 

They believe in a thoughtful approach to fashion and design.  Ichyulu want their customers to love what they buy and want to have it as a staple piece in their wardrobe or home for years to come.
Ichyulu also love photography and  most of the time they use it for editorial campaigns and to work with the best talent in Kenya to create wonderful visual campaigns.

Content courtesy of Ichyulu, Nancie mwai & Nairobi fashion hub

African fashion

Posted on by Fashion Tribe Influencer

It goes without saying, African fashion is trendy. Celebrities such as Beyoncé and Rihanna are rocking the design, and what’s more, African designers have also won worldwide recognition. It is not a traditional style anymore, but African fashion has been elevated and incorporated into the modern fashion style

African Prints & Shades of Melanin Ruled the Ankara Delights Boutique Runway During Miami Swim Week Ankara SWIM

The African fashion styles stand out in any occasion and for this reason, the style is worn worldwide. You are an African and you should have a piece of the unique African native wear to show that you are proud of our culture.

The interesting bit about the African fashion styles is that they will always give one a presentable, classy, and expensive look. African fashion styles 2020 Over the years, the West African people have been known to embrace the African fashion style.

They have inspired the other African countries with their beautiful looks and now the tough market of the mainstream western culture wears is experiencing favorable competition. Latest African fashion styles These styles are trending and anyone who wears one of these in any occasion surely steals all the attention. Some are fabrics and in this case you can make any design out of them including dresses, shorts, pants, jumpsuits and anything that pleases you.

Latest African fashion styles of Ankara prints The African creative designers have now modernized the old Ankara print fabric designs. It is classic and blended well by mixing it with other fabrics like laces, kente, and kitenge to make it more unique and attractive.

Ankara mixed with lace Utilize the Ankara fabric and create any piece from the dresses, blazers, shoes, handbags, pants, suits, ties, and blouses as well. Keep in mind that the design will depend on the occasion. If you choose an Ankara print crop top, attend occasions like wedding ceremonies and the dinner-date.

If you want an official look, the design must look presentable. You won’t go wrong with this rich Ankara print fabric that assures you of an expensive look any day any time

African fashion with the Aso Ebi styles The African fashion Style dresses with Aso Ebi styles are amazing and unique. The West African countries especially the Nigerians, adore this fabric style because it gives them an expensive, decent, and classy African culture look.

Dashiki fashionable styles 2020 Are you in love with this dashiki fabric? The dashiki fabrics are so beautiful with their upper half body length cover.

In 2019, the African designers have fully utilized the fabric and they are creating unique pieces, such as dresses, skirts, tops, and pants.

The modern pieces for ladies will definitely give you a classy and a gorgeous look. Keep in mind that you need to create a piece that will fit in with your occasion. Classic accessories and a cool hairstyle will give you a fabulous look. Agbada African design style Who said looking unique is not the 2019 theme?

The Agbada is well-known to be a Nigerian wear. Well, the other African women and men are getting inspired with the unique, more presentable and classy fashion style.

It is not a man’s design anymore, the rich design will make any ordinary lady look expensive. Kente fashionable styles for ladies Kente styles are mostly embraced by the Ghanaians during their traditional engagements. The Kente fabric has now been utilized and people all over Africa are creating multi-occasion design styles and they look fabulous.

Kente design combinations Most African designers are blending the Kente fabric with soft polished cotton of various colors to make pieces like skirts, tops, dresses, and pants. Own a piece too for an out-standing look.

Kitenge trending style for Africans Kitenge is a unique fabric that well represents the beauty of the African queens. The African designers with an affordable price have created Kitenge beautiful styles and designs.

They look very attractive and fashionable as well. The tulip and the oleku Buba styles are the trending styles because they make a woman to be more decent, attractive, and most of all expensive.

This article originally appeared on YEN

Top 10 Kenyan Fashion Bloggers

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

The aim of this list is to feature all the notable and upcoming Kenyan fashion bloggers. We feel this is a great way to recognize and appreciate their efforts while giving them a boost to their readership. Fashion blogging in Kenya is becoming a major gig and a hobby for many who use it to showcase and cover their personal styles and share ideas. Even though the ladies have dominated this sphere, the menfolk have also shown their capability and strength in running a fashion blog too.

This is a random list (and not a marketing copy), but it is also worth to know the top female fashion bloggers in Kenya and top men fashion bloggers in Kenya.

Top 10 Female Bloggers in Kenya

1. Sharon Mundia

Sharon is one of the popular female fashion bloggers in Kenya. Her efforts have earned her the rights to rank among the top. She runs the “This is Ess” fashion blog and believes that fashion is all about expressing your personal character and imaginations in the best possible way.

She started blogging in 2012 and hopes to inspire women across Africa. Some of the categories she covers include travel, wedding, lifestyle, and beauty. She also writes for Lifestyle Magazine run by Capital FM.

2. Nancie Mwai

Her love for fashion started while she was still a young girl and she grew to pursue her dreams. She started out as a stylist for the Nation Newspaper, and she later launched “The Fashion Notebook,” an online fashion blog, in 2010. Nancie has enjoyed a glare of publicity due to her blog.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CD_RxPljuaj/?utm_source=ig_embed

She is a two times winner of the BAKE Best Fashion Blogger competition. Currently, she runs a blog under her name, Nancie Mwai, and she covers Travel, Health & Fitness, Lifestyle, and Beauty.

3. Joy Kendi

Kendi is known for her acting roles in Changing Times and Prem, Joy Kendi started out as an actress with no prior experience. She launched her blog, Our Style Kenya (now Just Joy Kendi), during her acting course as a side gig. It took off later and has become one of Kenya’s most visited blogs.

Joy Kendi is one of the most popular Kenyan bloggers. Her style is chic and meant for the modern woman.

4. Lucia Musau

Lucia Musau is a creative thinker, an entrepreneur and fashion blogger that has caused ripples online based on her blog. The blog, luciamusau.com, offers practical and stylish tips for the modern stylista. She incorporates all parts of style, from hair to beauty, to bring out the full experience of a fashion statement.

5. Silvia Njoki

Silvia Njoki’s blog, silvianjoki.com has reinvented the whole fashion sphere. This is mainly because of the vast content and tips that she offers fashion enthusiasts. She studied fashion at London’s renowned University of The Arts.She brings together creative styles with a chic modern touch in all aspects of fashion and beauty.

6. Wabosha Maxine

Wabosha Maxine is a  Kenyan beauty influencer based in Nairobi, She is a professional make-up artist, and a vlogger. Wabosha Maxine is well  known for her talent and desire to grow in the make-up industry in Africa at a tender age as well as her skill in the art.

Maxine Wabosha’s devotion to her career has seen her working with top artists and gigs with huge brands. She landed her first big job courtesy of House of Elzuri.

This is a body wellness and beauty company which specializes in makeup and body art. Maxine Wabosha worked for them as a backstage designer for a model and still works there with the team in assisting young beauticians and beauty bloggers in developing their brand and expounding their client base.

7. Natalie Tewa

This beauty is a blogger and vlogger who shares gorgeous pictures, fashion inspiration and candid beauty reviews on her various platforms.

Natalie  Wanjiru is a Kenyan Youtuber, Influencer and Content Creator,  Tewa is a Nickname from her brother since she was young.Natalie grew up in a family with two elder stepsisters and a young brother.

8. Winny Odande

Winny drives forward one of Kenya’s most robust and encompassing fashion blogs. Her style primarily focuses on an ethnic touch on a modern appeal to style. She is a top Kenyan stylist, fashion blogger, and creative personality. Winny’s blog, fitndiscover.com, paints a broad stroke of fashion haven of ideas that encourages creativity.

9. Lisa Gaitho

Lisa Gaitho is the daughter of Macharia Gaitho. Macharia is a former editor at Nation Media Group. Most Kenyans love Macharia for his non-political stand and how he remains unbiased even in hot political situations.

Together with her sister, they founded Siri studio which is famous for their trendy female outfits. Lisa studied in Kenyan schools before going to South Africa for her university studies.

Lisa runs a blog, lisagaitho.com. Here she writes about her experiences traveling the world. She also doesn’t fail to praise her older but incredibly rich boyfriend who funds her trips, much to the chagrin of women. Her blogs usually attract a backlash from her readers, most accusing her of looking down upon her Kenyan fellows and relying on a man to make her dreams happen

10. Sheila Ndinda

Popularly known as the Kenyan Naturalists, Sheila is passionate about educating women on how to achieve healthy hair. She has garnered massive popularity there for her natural hair care tutorials and tips alongside her own lifestyle vlogging entries

Her online platforms are a place where she expresses her love for Natural hair and shares her joys and experiences with different products.

11. Fashionable Step mum

Mrs Catherine Kariuki became popular after her interview that focused on the challenges younger women who get married as second wives to older men go through.

She has been running a vlog and blog highlighting the challenges of blended family and in both she openly discusses how her family and friends shunned her for marrying a man twice her age, Mrs Catherine is a step mother to 6 adult children who stay with her and often visit their biological mother.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBlc1yOg6zE/?utm_source=ig_embed

On her blog she also showcases her style evolution over the years, Mrs Catherine Kariuki share with you how her love for fashion has helped her get through her greatest adventure yet thriving in a blended family and finding a peaceful and glorious stepmother’s happily ever after, and in case you’re wondering, She is a step mum of 6 children, and a kick-ass wife of the man who makes it all worth it.

It would be important to note that this is her story, not the story of her step children or their mothers. That is theirs to tell if and when they choose to do so.

The two mothers often meet during milestone events such as graduation and birthdays.

12. Maureen Bandari

Maureen holds a beautiful aura of a fun and creative-themed blog designed for beauty bits and fashion pieces. Her blog, thefunshionmistress.com has a bold and auspicious online presence. This is naturally due to her incorporation of beauty and style and fashion tips in the clearest and boldest expressions. That pretty much sums up her awesome sense of style.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDmPw54AX9-/?utm_source=ig_embed

13. The Dapper Brother

Muriuki Kagiri was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. he is extremely passionate about all things fashion, men’s fashion specifically, and he created his blog in order to share his personal style, knowledge, and opinions with his mass audience.

He began blogging in mid-2015  as a hobby. At the time, the local fashion blogging scene was saturated with blogs directed to ladies, and he wanted to fill that gap and provide a resource where guys like him could come and get inspiration from. Six months down the line, Kagiri won the ” MIMI Fashion Blogger Contest ” , out of  a whooping 200+ submissions, 98% of which were female blogs. he believe this was God showing him that people actually acknowledge what he does.

Having seen the potential in his blog, Muriuki decided to grow his brand and actually make a difference in how people perceive Menswear in Kenya.

14. Winnie The Fashionista

Her stylish sense has made her become a creative and fashion-forward guru Kenya. She is also among the top Kenyan fashion bloggers. Winnie’s blog, winniethefashionista.com , gives timely and fashion-forward tips that create different dimensions of fashion entities. Her diary, termed as a diary of style, is a go-to place for all matters chic and stylish. This clearly shows why the lady rules.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2vtZZXAkaK/?utm_source=ig_embed

15. Mumbi Shokey

Mumbi Shokey has one of the most active online presence in the Kenyan fashion blogger scene. With a Youtube channel to complement the awesome work of art that is her blog, she is one to watch, pun-intended. Her style is a beautiful, classy mixture of fusing different styles to bring out completeness.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCQudufBaqm/?utm_source=ig_embed

Mumbi’s blog, mumbishokey.com, paints a vivid picture of class and style to accentuate a modern woman’s look.

16. Wairimu Nyandia

Wairimu has steadily risen to becoming one of Kenya’s most renowned Kenyan fashion bloggers and hair enthusiasts. She directs one of the most compelling blogs in the fashion scene. She gives different tips on handling hair matters for the ladies and the fashion equivalents to complete the look. Her blog, wairimunyandia.com, has varying styles and trends for the fashionista and modern woman to bring out their best.

Content courtesy of Nairobi fashion hub 

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