Top 10 Most Influential Fashion Designers in Kenya
Fashion designers in Kenya are displaying exemplary outfits in many major international fashion events. They are demonstrating their ability to compete favorably within Africa and worldwide. As such, below we have highlighted the most influential fashion designers raising the fashion industry to a global scale.
Evelyn Akinyi Odongo
Akinyi is the co-founder and creative director of MEFA Creation. She started her journey in 2002 and since then, her designs have skyrocketed locally and internationally. Furthermore, she was among the lucky designers to showcase her collection during president Barrack Obama’s visit to Kenya in 2015. Additionally, she has dressed the first lady of the Republic of Kenya, Margret Kenyatta.
Jamil Walji
Jamil is the designer behind Jamil Walji Creations. His brand has gained admiration for classy and seasonal designs. Jamil began his craft in 2011 and he has gone ahead to win multiple fashion awards. For instance, he won the emerging designers awards FAFA Insight in 2012 and the coveted Kenya Fashion Awards Designer of the Year in 2013.
Sally Karago
Sally is the first designer to incorporate Maasai shuka and Kikoi into modern fashion. She began her creative journey in 1992 when she founded Mcensal Fashion House. The designer has showcased in international fashion shows including the coveted Africa Fashion Week in New York. Moreover, she is the founder of the Mcensal Fashion School where she nurtures young aspiring fashion designers.
Patricia Mbela
Patricia Mbela is a mogul in the Kenyan fashion arena. She has established her brand as wearable art globally. Moreover, in 2014, she received the Top Kenyan Fashion and Jewelry Designer at the Kenyan Fashion Week.
Her brand Poisa produces both male and female wear. Some of the big names that have rocked her designs include radio and television presenter Amina Mohammed and famous afro musicians Yemi Alade and Seyi Shay.
Ann McCreath
Ann McCreath is a fashion design expert in Kenya. She is also the founder of the KikoRomeo brand. McCreath has been in the fashion arena since 1996. Moreover, she is the founder of the Festival of African Fashion & Arts (FAFA), which aims to build peace through fashion. Currently, she is the Kenyan Coordinator for Fashion Revolution Day.
Faith Migwi
If you see Manciny Designs, know that Faith Migwi is the brains behind the beautiful designs. Indeed, her journey started in 2012 when she made the Manciny men’s wear and the Nyadhi wear for women. Contemporary Africa inspires her men’s wear. Moreover, she has dressed some prominent people in Kenya including activist Boniface Mwangi.
Nick Ondu
Nick Ondu is the amazing fashion designer behind Nick Ondu- Sartorial for East’s Africa leading music group Sauti Sol. Additionally, he is the founder and owner of Ankara Vintage. African ethnic prints majorly characterize his designs. Further, he won the 2018 Barclays Kenya Opens (now Absa) award for designing the best jacket.
Deepa Dosaja
Deepa Dosaja is a big fashion designer in Kenya. Indeed, nature inspires her fashion designs and it is evident in the patterns, colors and materials of her pieces. Deepa creates her pieces from natural fibers, cotton, silk, and wool. In fact, she won the Most Influential Woman Award in Kenya in the fashion sector in 2013. Further, in 2015, Oscar Award Winner Lupita Nyong’o rocked her designs thus gaining worldwide recognition.
John Kaveke
John Kaveke is a Kenyan born international designer. His studied fashion and design in Spain. Kaveke later started his own clothing brand in 1997 where he specialized in men’s fashion. Hub of Africa in Ethiopia, Swahili Fashion Week, Catwalk Kenya, Festival for African Fashion and Art Kenya, Lagos Fashion Week, the International Smirnoff Fashion Awards, Sarajevo Fashion Week, Bosnia, London Fashion Week and the coveted New York Fashion Week have all paraded his designs. Additionally, Vogue Magazine and CNN African Voices have featured his work.
Monica Kanari
Monica Kanari is an influential fashion designer and founder of Occasions ‘n Days Fashion Brand. Her focus on fashion is in the evening and occasional dresses with a modern African feel. Moreover, she is transforming the wedding wear into a more fitting and desirable fashion. She gears her designs to complement the character, theme, style and special size of her clients. Kanari works with silk, African fabric mixes, and a blend of African ornaments to create stunning wear. Further, Samantha Bridal, The African Fashion Fair and Festival for African Fashion and Art Kenya (FAFA) have showcased her designs.