The New Language of Kenyan Style

As a fashion editor with over a decade of experience in Kenya’s fashion industry, I have had the privilege of witnessing the highs and lows that have shaped our creative space. From the golden era and gradual fade of print magazines to the unstoppable rise of digital storytelling, fashion brands, stylists, hair and makeup artists and the pulse of Kenyan style continues to evolve.

Our fashion story is deeply rooted in culture and identity. Music, art, and everyday African life have become powerful sources of inspiration. I have seen bold, unapologetic women take the spotlight as style icons and watched a new wave of male content creators use fashion as a tool for expression, identity, and influence.

Across the continent, a new language of style is being written, and Kenya is part of that conversation. This article is a celebration of the creatives, the risk-takers, and the brands that are proudly defining what Kenyan fashion looks and feels like today.

KATUSH 

Kenyan creative Katungulu Mwendwa founded the brand Katungulu Mwendwa In 2017 and later changed the brand name to “Katush” in 2017. The brand flatters diverse forms for both male and female silhouette’s. The University of Creative Arts London graduate founded her brand based on the need to fully express herself and the journey of exploration of what being Kenyan is from our pre-colonial times to date.

She deliberated a lot on her identity and origins of being a Kenyan with a lot of our history being erased and doctored over time. Katungulu continually seeks to understand our original styles of dressing and symbolism and takes reference from this and creates outfits for an urban setting, each piece is part of an ongoing experiment and one that honors identity, storytelling, and the power of people-centric design.

Over the years the brand has evolved to having a positive impact on the environment with various elements of production being made in Africa from the raw inputs of cottons to the manufacturing and accessories.

Katush partners with a diverse network of regional, local, and international collaborators including artisans in Burkina Faso, renowned for their iconic “Faso Dan Fani” handwoven cotton, and Kenya’s own Tosheka Textiles, a social enterprise championing ethical textile production from farm to fashion.

For founder Katungulu Mwendwa, sustainability is a mindset. Her guiding mantra is simple but powerful

“If there’s a better solution, go for it. If you can source better cotton, pay better wages, or create more meaningful employment take that path. Always do the right thing.”

WAZAWAZI  

Before founding WazaWazi, Chebet Mutai worked in development and travelled across Africa. On her journeys, she witnessed many of the challenges people on the continent face with unemployment standing out as one of the major challenges.

Chebet realized that job creation could be a powerful solution, and she also wanted to change the way the world sees Africa. She believed that Africa could produce world class products and tell its own story of creativity, resilience, and excellence.In 2012, she took a bold step and left her job to start WazaWazi. Her goal? To train local artisans in leatherwork, design, and production, giving them valuable skills and meaningful work.

For Chebet, WazaWazi is more than a fashion brand. It’s her way of creating opportunity, telling authentic African stories, building sustainable livelihoods and producing quality handcrafted pieces.

Each piece is handmade by Kenyan artisans, with women from Chebet’s community who bring their ancestral skills to life through delicate embellishments. 

Chebet is positive and hopeful about the growth of the Kenyan leather industry that has expanded with many new players coming into the industry which has led to the upskilling of artisans working in the  industry and this has placed Kenya on the global map as producer of quality leather product and enhanced international trade. 

Waza Wazi offers a wide range of products from jewelry to small leather accessories, large leather bags and home wear products. Looking ahead Chebet is focusing on positioning the brand as an Afrocentric Lifestyle brand. She has learnt that having a diverse range of products introduces the brand to a diverse range of clientele. 

WE ARE NBO

We Are Nbo was founded by Michael Kimani Nguthu in 2021. The fashion graduate from University of Nairobi gained experience in working with various local and international clothing and accessory brands where he gained perspective and insights on creative design thinking and the correlation between accessories and garment production. 

Michaels vision for the brand is for it to become a collaborative space for creatives around Nairobi and Africa as whole. The brand focuses on exploring various states of being through creating products, telling stories and creating images. Through these diverse creative expressions, we are reminded of our shared humanity, our joys and struggles, our celebration and reflection, are all part of what connects us.

Collaboration is at the heart of the brand’s journey. Working closely with a diverse group of artists and artisans from around Nairobi, the brand has not only nurtured creativity but also created meaningful social impact offering skills, sustainable livelihoods, and a sense of purpose for both the artisans and their families.

Michael believes that “We are Nbo”  plays an important role in shaping Kenya’s evolving style identity. Each design becomes part of how the wearer expresses themselves to the world, influencing identity, boosting confidence, and serving as a powerful statement of self-worth.

Jewelry from “We Are NBO “often marks personal milestones, symbols of status, achievement, or transformation. From the vibrant energy of Shoppe Object in New York to the high-fashion halls of Galeries Lafayette and Tranoï in Paris, We Are NBO has proudly showcased its distinctive pieces on some of the world’s most coveted design platforms. These international trade shows have affirmed what the brand has always stood for uniquely crafted jewelry with a strong sense of identity, quality, and cultural narrative.

As the brand looks to expand its retail presence across the globe, founder Michael envisions forging powerful partnerships with major fashion and lifestyle brands. His goal? To see We Are NBO not only stocked internationally but endorsed as a symbol of contemporary African luxury.

The brand is also  preparing to expand into clothing for both men and women with fabrics ethically sourced from across the region and designs deeply inspired by local culture. It’s a natural evolution that continues the brand’s mission of telling African stories through wearable art.