Wan Fam Clothing Brand Recognized International

Kenyan Brand Recognized International Wan fam Clothing,was founded by Jeff Wanjala, 30, and his brother Emmanuel Wanjala, 25, Jeff says, Wan Fam is not an acronym for Wanjala.

The business grew through referrals and word of mouth from a close-knit family of friends – hence the name Wan Fam (a play on one family).

From an initial starting capital of Sh5,000 in 2009, Jeff says, Wan Fam last year registered a turnover of Sh4 million. The fashion start-up deals primarily with urban fashion, including travel and gym bags, sweatshirts, sweatpants, jackets and backpacks

The formidable Maasai tribe have long been known as tall and fierce warriors, but they have recently also become unlikely fashion icons.

A Kenyan clothing label has taken inspiration from the patterns of the traditional Maasai shuka, a cloth usually worn wrapped around the body, to produce clothes and accessories in vibrant tribal prints.

Nairobi-based Wan Fam Clothing was founded by brothers Jeff and Emmanuel Wanjala — the sibling duo say they want to pay homage to Kenya’s Maasai culture by turning a traditional garment into fashionable urban wear.

“Our dominant fabric is usually Maasai shuka,” says Jeff Wanjala. “It’s very ideal because it has like a signature for Africa — you can just see it and notice that this is our brand.”

The two brothers think time is right for Kenyan and other African designers to start looking inward and exploring their own heritage.

“The demand for local products has actually gone up,” says Jeff Wanjala. “People are trying to get more African products, so that means it is actually a big market for local designers,” he adds.

Strong demand

The brothers tried to tap into that demand for authenticity by launching a collection called 1963, commemorating 50 years of Kenya’s independence. They read the consumer mood correctly, and their move resulted an astounding success:

“This was one of the best sales we ever had. We had launched it on a Friday and by Monday we had sold like half the collection,” Jeff Wanjala says.

The brand, which launched in 2009, says it sells up to 100 units a month, with bags carrying a price tag of $18 and jackets $29. Their success has, however, brought them to the attention of copycats:

“Once you make a good product, automatically people start coming in, so the new clients start thinking that you are actually the one imitating the products,” says Jeff Wanjala, but adds that in spite of that challenge the company is making a profit. “Once you create a good product, you create demand,” he says.

Growing trend

Wan Fam Clothing is just one in a string of African brands who have shunned imported aesthetic to focus on their own heritage for inspiration. South African knitwear designer Laduma Ngxokolo creates menswear which incorporates visual motifs of his own Xhosa heritage, and Rwandan jewelery maker Teta Isibo creates handmade pieces which fuse traditional local craftsmanship with contemporary bold designs.

Jeff Wanjala offers a piece of advice for inspiring entrepreneurs looking to start a new company:

“I would tell anyone who wants to start a local brand, don’t compromise on quality. That’s number one. And don’t give up on whatever you love doing. Just do what you love and the rest will follow,” he says.

Content Courtesy Of CNN and SDE

Founder Abryanz Fashion & Style Awards

Fashion is a fast-growing industry in Uganda. The people on this list have in one way or another influenced the way people dress, the designers making the clothes, or even changed people’s mindsets towards fashion in Uganda. They’ve not only perfected their craft but are also using their power to lay a foundation for the future. In no particular order, meet the most influential people in fashion in Uganda.

1. Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda

The Queen of Buganda is arguably one of the most stylish women in Uganda. She’s a style icon to many, especially women from Buganda, thanks to her effortless style and elegance. She always steps out impeccably dressed in custom-made Busuutis and intricately embroidered evening gowns. She’s living proof that one can be a royal and still be relatable, often attending social events in Kampala. Her great style and philanthropic work have been covered by international press such as Vogue Italia, the most influential style magazine in the world. Inspired by her elegance and grace, early this year Sylvia Owori announced that she’s working on a Busuuti line in collaboration with her.

2. Princess Elizabeth Bagaaya

Princess Bagaaya has amassed a long and enviable resume, working in the government as a minister and envoy, in the fashion world as an accomplished model, and in the entertainment industry as an actor. This well-schooled royal was the first black woman to appear on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar, an American fashion magazine. In 1974, she caused a stir, when she gave a speech as Uganda’s then Foreign minister at the UN General assembly dressed in a long gold-brocade Chinese gown and her hair braided into a crown by a Nigerian hairdresser she flew in just for the occasion. She set a new hair-trend for black women, and also landed the front page of the New York Times.

Early this year, American designer Zac Posen announced that his Spring Summer 2016 show presented at New York Fashion Week in February was inspired by the “stunning Oxford-educated #PrincessElizabethof Toro”, he shared on Instagram. The runway show, which featured only models of color was closed by Uganda model Aamito.

3. Queen Best Kemigisa

An advocate of the Suka, the traditional wear of the Batooro, Queen Best Kemigisha is one of the most stylish women in Ugandan. Her style and grace have inspired many women especially Batooro that, they can still look modern and trendy in their traditional wear. She often attends high-end events in her beautifully embroidered dresses, often stealing style points without even trying.

4. Keturah Kamugasha

Keturah is the editor-in-chief of Flair for her magazine, a lifestyle magazine for women. She has for many years used her popular style columns both in the Newvision newspaper and her magazine, to influence what people wear and the designers of the moment. Through her writing, she has shared her knowledge on fashion with the rest of the world, while also inspiring young fashion writers and journalists

5. Gloria Wavamunno

An accomplished designer and tailor, Gloria Wavamunno continues to raise the bar high for fashion in Uganda with her brainchild, Kampala Fashion Week. She chose to live and work in Uganda, to use her genius to impact the local industry. Kampala Fashion Week is the most influential fashion platform in Uganda, often attracting designers from as far as London to fly in and showcase their new designs.

6. Joram Muzira

The models who walk the runways are such a crucial element of the shows, bringing to life the creative vision of designers. Casting directors are usually charged with the role of hiring the right models for the job. Joram Muzira has grown to become the most in-demand casting director and model manager in the business. His shrewd and tough demeanor has polished the careers of most of the successful models now including Aamito and Patricia Akello among others.

7. Kalungi Kabuye

The no-nonsense arts and lifestyle journalist has helped launch the careers of many local designers often supporting them in his articles and reviews. His articles have a number of times ruffled a few feathers, but what’s influence without a bit of controversy.

8. Santa Anzo

Santa Anzo is one of the most successful designers in Uganda, running her business in Kampala. Her main focus is usually on designs with an African element and she’s a big advocate of African print. She organized the first fashion week in Uganda, the Uganda International Fashion Week. She’s a celebrated entrepreneur and businesswoman, often doing motivation speaking to young people. She’s supported the careers of many up-and-coming designers.

9. Brenda Nanyonjo

Brenda is one of the few stylists from Uganda to have great success. She styled most of the beautiful fashion stories featured in African Woman magazine back in the day, and long after the magazine folded, she’s still the go-to stylist for many big-name celebrities in Kampala. Not afraid to innovate, early this year she launched ‘Miss B Jeans, a denim line for women with curves. She’s also the current holder of the Miss Uganda franchise.

10. Aamito

Aamito is not just an icon in the modeling world, she’s a huge inspiration to many young people in Uganda. A trip to Kenya on a bus, to audition for Africa’sNext Top Model changed her life completely. After winning the TV show, she has gone on to have an accomplished career, walking for almost all the big-name designers in Milan, London, Paris, and New York; appearing in British Vogue, Yahoo Fashion, Vogue Espana, W Magazine, and much other major fashion publication. She has also been featured in advertising campaigns for brands such as Marc Jacobs and Other stories.

11. Ahumuza Brian

There’s no way you can mention fashion in Uganda and leave out Ahumuza Brian of Abryanz Collection. What started as a retail shop selling clothes in downtown Kampala is now a huge phenomenon. His styling genius has been tapped by many brands and big-name celebrities for press appearances and in advertising. His unique style sense has inspired many trends in Kampala, and he has greatly influenced how men view fashion. What he wears, everyone will follow and wear? His brand grew to include an annual event, the Abryanz Fashion & Style Awards, a platform that awards and recognizes movers in the fashion industry.

12. Sylvia Owori

Arguably the most powerful woman in fashion in Uganda, Sylvia Owori is a forward-thinking creative, always putting out collections that attract so much traction from across the globe. The British educated designer has impacted the industry in a number of ways, giving people jobs, dressing them, and most importantly, inspiring many young designers. She now hosts The Style Project on NTV where she shares her style genius with the rest of the world. Her comments on the show have many times sparked controversy, but again, what’s influence without controversy?

Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of something or someone. But, how do you measure it? Is it through the number of people, one has mentored? Or the successful projects they have under their belt? An influential person is one whose actions and opinions strongly influence the course of events.
Content Courtesy Of Nairobi Fashion Hub

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