Top 10 Fashion Shows Events In Kenya

A fashion show is an event put on by a fashion designer to showcase his or her upcoming line of clothing during Fashion Week. Fashion shows debut every season, particularly the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter seasons. This is where the latest fashion trends are made. A fashion show is an ensemble of creative ideas, right from ramp, lighting, and décor, to models and clothing.

Success of a fashion show depends on whether it is able to spark the imagination of audience, and convince them to buy those clothes. Themes in fashion shows, are able to do just that, as they provide theatrics and create drama, at an otherwise normal show.

Fashion events not only create a buzz in their home countries but attract people from all over the world. These events encourage creative and diverse ideas in the fashion industry and also helps generate revenue for other industries as well.

Over the past few years, the fashion scene in Kenya has undergone massive changes. One could even say that it has been democratized. Even right now it is growing in leaps and bounds even though sometimes it may not be apparent. With the large number of fashion events that we have presently, it can be difficult to decipher which ones are actually the best and worth looking out for.

Do you know what the 10 biggest fashion events in Kenya are?

1. Kenya Fashion Awards
Established in 2012 the Kenya Fashion Awards is celebrating the contributions of the designers, fashion photographers, models, fashion stylists, make-up artists, hair stylists and creatives to the fashion scene.
Its aim to recognize and celebrate the wealth of fashion talent across Kenya and East Africa.
The event provides a stepping stone for emerging talent into the highly competitive fashion arena through networking, promotion and guidance.
Winning or being shortlisted for an Award provides endless rewards for designers, photographers, models … who participate as the event offer s a great opportunity to increase brand awareness and to showcase designers, photographers or fashion stylists work to the industry professionals, fashionistas, press and media.

2. Nairobi Fashion Week 

The Nairobi Fashion Week  ( NFW ) is a creative idea targeted to be a meeting place for the nation and Africa’s most creative talent. It’s an event created to showcase East Africa’s designers, stylist’s,producer’s, commentators, sponsors and everyone in between to a global audience.

NFW has been conceptualized to provide a leading platform for the Kenyan fashion industry to grow. It brings together all the necessary components under one roof to provide an opportunity to incubate and grow the Kenyan fashion industry.

3. Fashion High Tea

The event prides itself on being one of the few local events that combine fashion and charity, by collaborating with philanthropist,The contemporary high tea theme is slowly changing and becoming accepting of pants, flashy colors and even outfits that are elegant, but don’t necessarily fall under the ‘high tea’ dress code.

Fashion High Tea has proven itself time and again to be one of the premiere fashion events in the country, the event brings together designers from all over the world to showcase their work to the local market.

4. The JW Show

Aim to connect, Kenya, Africa And the world through fabric and design,this style-studded fashion extravaganza congregates men and women who are pushing the envelope of sustainable local fashion brands that have transcended borders and caught global attention. Make a date with us and be part of this iconic show where style will meet elegance.

The event mostly offers a platform to young upcoming designers with more established designers opting not to showcase due to the presentation format,he JW Show, organized by Jeffrey Wilson, has proven itself not once or twice but several times to be among the top fashion events in Kenya.

5. Tribal Chic

Tribal Chic is Nairobi’s most respected fashion show. The annual event is hosted by Tribe Hotel and aims to showcase the best Kenyan and international designers to local fashion insiders. Following in the footsteps of previous worthwhile happenings in the city, namely Kenya Fashion Week and FAFA, Tribal Chic has over the past few years, become a flag bearer for promoting Kenya’s fashion infrastructure. This is thanks in large part to the show’s curator Alina Haq and choreographer Sunny Dolat.

“The concept is simple  we want to showcase great design,” says Dolat. “For the line-up we look for something fresh that the audience will appreciate and buy. It’s a show that aims to surprise and impress.”

Held annually at Tribe Hotel at around 14th December, this event attracts thousands of artists, designers to come showcase their talent. It accommodates both local and international fashionistas. It was founded with an aim of helping the less fortunate in the society.

6. Fashion Couture Affair

Fashion couture affair is a runway event , started in 2016 and its managed by fashion killers 254. its a platform for designer, models, exhibitors, artists and any other business related to fashion,The event traces its roots to Nairobi Railways museum where most of the editions have been held.

7. Samantha’s Bridal Wedding Expo

Samantha’s Bridal Wedding Expo is a bi-annual event where all wedding service providers in the industry come together and showcase the very latest in wedding trends,The Samantha’s Bridal wedding fair is an exciting 3-day event filled with fashion, beauty and style. It is Kenya’s most dynamic and effective place to meet leading industry players in the wedding, beauty, honeymoon, Kenyan fashion giants and affluent women and their families.

The event spans a couple of days with close to a hundred vendors in attendance to showcase and promote their brands. There’s a runway segment that give a better view at how the wedding attires look like.

8. Entrepreneur Fashion Week

EFW is a great event with three key elements, Fashion shows, mini expo and master class that hat pulls together business owners, industry insiders, exhibitors and fashion lovers in East, south and West Africa across fast fashion, contemporary luxury and trends for the world apparel production and supply for both European and African buyers and an opportunity for brands to meet and spark possible business opportunities & collaborations.

9. Kenya Worldwide Fashion Week

With the immense knowledge in the Fashion Industry  and Having  held Various High Profile Fashion Shows and Being Voted Fashion Ambassador Kenya ,Sonu strongly Believes “in a World of Color”.Her creativity “runs on an engine of passion,shape,textures and touch in a pattern that Leads to the Creation of Fashion.”

Sonu moved to Kenya from India in 2006 and soon realized that Kenya had lots to offer to the World and had a rich Cosmopolitan flair to it.  In a short time Sonu  has made a huge impact on the Kenyan Fashion scene, at Kenya Worldwide Fashion Week, local and international designers are given a chance to showcase their original haute couture pieces. It has held 7 editions so far.

10. Core Fashion Kenya Show

The Core Fashion Kenya aims to give the Kenyan fashion industry one voice; to help project local designers and talent onto the international fashion arena,with the aim of promoting local talent to penetrate the international market, Linda Murithi CEO of In The Bag saw the opportunity to give fashion industry a voice. Core Fashion Kenya is held at Tribe Hotel to nurture, celebrate and unify local talent fashion icons.

Turkana Fashion Week

Founded by Ignatius Wafula, Turkana Fashion Week aims to recreate Turkana culture using fashion beyond Kenya. It has received international recognition from the likes of Ajuma Nasenyana.

All the fashion shows events listed here may vary from ranking.

Content courtesy of Nairobi fashion hub Digital Team