Friday 23rd of May 2025

Nairobi, Kenya

Tag: Nairobi Fashion Week

The Seventh Edition of Nairobi Fashion Week: A Dynamic Celebration of African Designers and Regenerative Fashion

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

Nairobi Fashion Week 2025 is set to make waves as it returns for its seventh edition, featuring Africa’s brightest stars in regenerative fashion. With the theme “Restoring Culture and Nature Through Regenerative Fashion,” the event will run from January 29th to February 1st, 2025, at the Sarit Center. It promises a groundbreaking showcase of innovative collections that blend bold creativity with a commitment to environmental and social impact.

This year’s theme underscores the urgent need for the fashion industry to go beyond sustainability. Regenerative fashion seeks to renew natural resources, restore ecosystems, and empower local communities through ethical production. By shining a spotlight on designers championing these principles, Nairobi Fashion Week 2025 aims to inspire a global movement toward a more sustainable and restorative future.

A Vision for Sustainability

“The theme aligns with our vision of positioning Africa as a global leader in sustainability,” said Brian Kihindas, Creative Director of Nairobi Fashion Week. “We aim to establish a platform for sustainable designers across Africa, rooted in the region’s cultural values. Our goal is to promote organic fabrics and sustainable fashion, reclaiming and celebrating our story.”

He further noted, “Throughout history, African communities have embraced sustainable fashion by crafting garments from locally sourced, natural materials and utilizing traditional techniques that prioritize longevity, cultural significance, and environmental harmony.”

Lisa Kibutu, Sponsor and Production Lead at NFW, echoed this sentiment: “This year’s Nairobi Fashion Week is a celebration of a new era in African fashion. We are looking for designers whose ethos focuses on restoration and healing from their sourcing of textiles to the disposal of waste and the end-of-life planning for their creations. These rising stars are proving that Africa can lead the world in regenerative fashion, with creativity and purpose driving every aspect of their work.”

The seventh edition will feature an exciting lineup of designers who exemplify responsible practices and celebrate African heritage. Highlights include:1. LaOculta2. SOKOLATA3. Maisha By Nusria4. Eva Wambutu5. Apar Gadek

— Nairobi Fashion Hub (@nairobifashionhub.bsky.social) 2025-01-21T13:10:23.118Z

 

Spotlight on Designers

The seventh edition will feature an exciting lineup of designers who exemplify responsible practices and celebrate African heritage. Highlights include:

1. LaOculta: Founded in 2021 by Catalina and Sofia, this womenswear brand bridges Kenya and Colombia through slow fashion. Collaborating with artisans from both regions, LaOculta merges cross-cultural techniques with sustainable production.

2. SOKOLATA: A high-end eco-responsible brand created in 2022 by Senegalese designer Sikoti Mbaitjongue. SOKOLATA uses natural African-origin materials like organic Senegalese cotton and handwoven fabrics from Benin. The brand’s value chain remains entirely based in Africa, contributing to a new ethical African fashion narrative.

3. Maisha By Nusria: A Nakuru-based nonprofit fashion studio specializing in upcycling and creative reuse. The studio transforms discarded textiles into contemporary handmade pieces, emphasizing innovation and sustainability.

4. Eva Wambutu: This Kenyan womenswear designer returns to the runway after her impressive debut at Nairobi Fashion Week Season 6. Known for her silhouette-focused designs, Wambutu is quickly gaining recognition as a designer to watch.

5. Apar Gadek: Led by Shirley Anyango, this jewelry and accessories brand collaborates with Kibera artisans to create distinctive pieces from brass, recycled glass beads, and upcycled cow horn and bone. Each creation tells a unique story, reflecting Africa’s rich cultural heritage.

Nur M. Nasria, founder of Maisha By Nusria, emphasized the growing awareness around fashion’s impact: “People are becoming more concerned about their garments and their origins. Nairobi Fashion Week is not just about showcasing beautiful clothes—it’s about telling the story of our planet and its people.”

About Nairobi Fashion Week

Nairobi Fashion Week (NFW) was launched in 2013 by Dynamic Race PR to advance East Africa’s fashion industry. The event connects emerging and established designers with local and international buyers and stockists. In 2023, NFW introduced the  JUST Fashion campaign to promote sustainability through eco-friendly materials and ethical practices. The Fashion Frontier Africa (FFA) incubator program, developed in partnership with European e-tailor Cultrite, has supported African designers with mentorship and business development opportunities, aiming to reach 500 designers after its first successful cohort.

As Nairobi Fashion Week enters its seventh season, it continues to push the boundaries of creativity, sustainability, and innovation while cementing Africa’s position as a leader in the global fashion landscape.

Content courtesy of Nairobi Fashion Week & NFH Digital Team

Nairobi Fashion Week 2025: Leading a Regenerative Fashion Renaissance

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

Nairobi Fashion Week, Kenya’s premier fashion event, is set to return for its seventh edition under the groundbreaking theme, Regenerative Fashion Renaissance: Restoring Culture and Nature. Scheduled from January 29th to February 1st, 2025, at the Sarit Center, this year’s event aims to redefine the future of fashion with a focus on sustainability, cultural preservation, and environmental restoration.

This visionary theme represents a pivotal shift in the global conversation on sustainability. While traditional sustainability practices emphasize reducing harm, regenerative fashion seeks to restore and renew ecosystems, communities, and cultural heritage throughout the fashion supply chain. By embracing a circular fashion economy, the event will highlight how designers, brands, and consumers can actively contribute to a more responsible and restorative industry.

“The theme aligns with our vision of positioning Africa as a global leader in sustainability. We are working to establish a platform for sustainable designers across Africa, rooted in the region’s cultural values. Our goal is to promote organic fabrics and sustainable fashion, and we believe this platform will help us reclaim and celebrate our story,” said Brian Kihindas, Creative Director of Nairobi Fashion Week.

He added, “Throughout history, African communities have embraced sustainable fashion by crafting garments from locally sourced, natural materials and utilizing traditional techniques that prioritize longevity, cultural significance, and environmental harmony.”

“The theme aligns with our vision of positioning Africa as a global leader in sustainability.We are working to establish a platform for sustainable designers across Africa, rooted in theregion & cultural values. Our goal is to promote organic fabrics and sustainable fashion, and we believe in

— Nairobi Fashion Hub (@nairobifashionhub.bsky.social) 2025-01-21T12:01:20.278Z

The Urgency for Regenerative Fashion

The global Textile and Apparel (T&A) industry, the third-largest manufacturing sector, generated $2.4 trillion in revenue in 2019 and employs over 300 million people worldwide. The sector’s growth has been exponential, with production doubling since 2000. Current consumption trends reveal that people now purchase 60% more clothes than they did 15 years ago. If this trajectory continues, clothing use could increase by over 60% between 2019 and 2029.

However, this rapid growth comes at a significant cost. The fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions, surpassing the combined emissions of all international flights and maritime shipping. Additionally, the sector generates around 92 million tonnes of textile waste annually, equivalent to a rubbish truck full of clothes being discarded every second. In Kenya, the impact of second-hand clothes, or mitumba, exacerbates the crisis. An estimated 300 million items of damaged or unsellable synthetic clothing are imported annually, with much of it ending up in landfills or burned, intensifying plastic pollution.

Nairobi Fashion Week: A Platform for Change

With these challenges in mind, Nairobi Fashion Week 2025 will spotlight designers who are redefining industry norms through recycling and upcycling practices. The event will also feature discussions with industry leaders, environmental activists, and sustainability experts on the broader potential of a circular economy in fashion.

“Recycling in fashion isn’t just about turning old clothes into new garments. It’s about creating a system where fashion becomes a regenerative force, where nothing goes to waste and everything has a second life. Nairobi Fashion Week 2025 will showcase the exciting possibilities that circular fashion holds for the future, not just for Africa, but for the world,” said Lisa Kibutu, Sponsor and Production Lead at NFW.

About Nairobi Fashion Week

Dynamic Race PR established Nairobi Fashion Week (NFW) in 2013 to advance East Africa’s fashion industry. The event connects emerging and established designers with local and international buyers and stockists. In 2023, NFW launched the JUST Fashion campaign, advocating for responsible sourcing, eco-friendly materials, and ethical production practices. NFW also introduced the Fashion Frontier Africa (FFA) incubator program in partnership with European e-tailor Cultrite. This initiative supports African designers with mentorship and business development, with the goal of reaching 500 designers after successfully completing its first cohort.

Now in its seventh season, Nairobi Fashion Week continues to be a trailblazer, pushing the boundaries of creativity, sustainability, and innovation while cementing Africa’s position as a leader in the global fashion landscape.

Theme: “The Regenerative Fashion Renaissance” Restoring Culture and Nature
Nairobi Fashion Week’s seventh edition will be held from January 29th to February 1st in Nairobi,Kenya
Venue: Sarit Center

Content courtesy of Nairobi Fashion Week & NFH Digital Team

 

African Fashion: Six Fashion Designers To Watch Out For During Nairobi Fashion Week In 2022

Posted on by Ann Mumbi

The season’s newest designs will be showcased during Nairobi Fashion Week (NFW) in November 2022 at Sarit Expo Center. From Friday, November 25 through Sunday, November 27, new collections from 25 designers will be unveiled on the runway. on the basis of

Since the start of Nairobi Fashion Week in 2013, six seasons have passed, according to founder and creative director James Brian. “Over the years, the NFW has demonstrated that it is a welcoming platform for aspiring and seasoned designers as well as fashion fans. It is an unquenchable inferno of glitz and glam that probes every crevice of fashion, from elegant and composed to blazing and bold. Because of this, we are thrilled to bring it back after the Covid-19 pandemic’s sad era ”

Rose Palhares From Angola
Born in Angola, Rose Palhares moved to Portugal when she was twelve years old. She always had a fascination for fashion design as a child, and she received her training in Brazil. She started her profession as a hairdresser in her home nation, fulfilling a childhood desire.

With studios in Lisbon and Luanda, she now splits her time between the two countries. Day 2’s performances by Palhares.

Nonnistics From Nigeria
Atelier in Lagos Nonye of Nonnistics once worked in banking, where she excelled at doing math. She has now applied the same devotion to the fields of fashion and design. Nonye was born, raised, and attended school in Owerri, Imo State.
Nonye was born, raised, and attended school in Owerri, Imo State.  She most recently presented during New York Fashion Week. On November 26th, check out her SS23 collection at Nairobi Fashion Week.

Chema Chetu From Kenya
Chema Chetu is a Kenyan leather goods company recognized for its incredibly imaginative yet useful bags, totes, and purses. Evelyne Wanjiku is the brand’s creator and chief designer.

Evelyne’s brand is a women-led and women-inspired business that aspires to empower its community one leather book and bag at a time in addition to her artistic vision and fine arts training. On Friday, May 25, Chema Chetu will present its SS23 Collection at Nairobi Fashion Week.

The Mod Hq From Ghana
After watching Style with Elsa Klensch on CNN in the 1980s, Ghanaian designer Ami Tonye Yomekpe became attracted by all things related to fashion. She was captivated by global fashion, designer interviews, backstage passes, and models on international runways.

But she didn’t start her fashion adventure until a serendipitous encounter while working on her dissertation, which happened much later. The late Kofi Ansah, a trailblazer and well-known Ghanaian fashion designer who revolutionized the business in Ghana, became a mentor to her after a series of interviews and inspired her to follow her passion.

Ami, an architect by training, later founded her company Afromod Trends, which was recently renamed MOD, and made a second appearance at Nairobi Fashion Week 2022.

Rossely From Angola 
Rossely was raised in Portugal and England after being born in Luanda, Angola. In Luanda, Angola, in 2015, she made the decision to start Pretah, a brand that celebrates her love of retro and vintage fashion as well as her African heritage.
In Luanda, Angola, in 2015, she made the decision to start Pretah, a brand that celebrates her love of retro and vintage fashion as well as her African heritage.  On the 25th, she will present her SS23 Collection at Nairobi Fashion Week.

Andrea Galante From Agonla
Angolan-born When Andrea Galante was a young girl, she spent the afternoons with her grandmother, a seamstress by trade, and it was during these times that she first learned how to tie the first knots in her dolls’ and children’s clothing.
The sensuality of a woman is highlighted by her line’s use of satin fabrics, lace, sparkles, and daring cuts. She started transitioning to the wedding industry in 2017.
At Nairobi Fashion Week 2022, Andrea will present her SS23 Collection on Thursday, June 26.

It’s anticipated that this season of NFW would draw more viewers than previous ones.
There will be 25 designers on display, hailing from countries including Kenya, South Africa, Togo, Benin, the United States, Nigeria, Ghana, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, the Ivory Coast, and Switzerland.
“I’m incredibly excited about this show.
I’m eager and anticipatory because this will be my first time taking part, Meeting other designers and fashion fans is something I’m looking forward to “says Chemachetu Leather designer Eva Wanjiru from Kenya.

A portion of the money raised from the sale of Nairobi Fashion Week (NFW) tickets will be given to help patients with esophageal cancer.
The Kenyatta University Teaching, Research, and Referral Hospital cancer center will work with us to ensure a good community effect.

Content courtesy of NFW & NFH

Kenya Fashion: The Return Of Nairobi Fashion Week After A Four-year Hiatus.

Posted on by Oscar Alochi

The Concord Hotel and Suites will host Nairobi Fashion Week’s fourth season, called “Mama Afrika,” on November 26.

Every 1900 to 2200 hours on both days, six designers from various nations, including the Netherlands, will present their original works.
I’m thrilled to reveal this year’s display.

Nairobi Fashion Week will present the newest collections for the season at Sarit Expo Center in November as it returns after a four-year hiatus.
From November 25 to November 27, 25 designers will present their newest offerings.
The countries they hail from include Kenya, South Africa, Togo, Benin, the United States, Nigeria, Ghana, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, the Ivory Coast, and Switzerland.

As we constantly strive to accomplish more and provide both our clients and guests with satisfying entertainment, it will be better than the last. According to Joseph Brian, the founder of NFW, we have five designers from Kenya this year, the others are from Africa, and one is from the Netherlands.

Pop-up exhibitions will also be part of the two-day event, allowing visitors to meet designers and exhibitors before the show at any time.

Since NFW’s beginning in 2013, this year has marked the sixth season.
NFW has established itself as a welcoming environment over the years for both aspiring and established designers as well as fashion fans, according to founder and creative director James Brian.

In order to establish an ecosystem between stockists and designers, he said, “our objective is to promote Nairobi as a fashion district in Africa.”

With a variety of culturally inspired content from Kenya and beyond on exhibit under the adaptable topic “Blueprint,” this year’s event will guarantee a global place.

According to Brian, the theme aims to vividly depict the cultural landmarks and experiences of the designers through their unique works.

“A stunning collection of themes-appropriate designs will be displayed. The occasion offers elegance with meaning.
The fashion, art, textile, and industrial industries will all be impacted in addition to providing a fertile environment for vocations to flourish.”
Chema Chetu Leather’s Eva Wanjiru, a Kenyan designer, expressed excitement for the exhibit.

“I’m meeting other designers for the first time, and I’m looking forward to doing the same for other fashion fans.”
A portion of the money made from the sale of tickets for Nairobi Fashion Week will go toward helping people with oesophageal cancer.

The Kenyatta University Teaching, Research, and Referral Hospital Cancer Center will ensure that we have a good impact on the community, according to Brian.

Content courtesy NFW & NFH

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