On Thursday, February 24, RefuSHE, the organization that provides support and resource programs to empower East African refugee women and girls, presented its annual Fashion Challenge. The virtual runway experience, hosted by Somali-American model Halima Aden, took to the East African region of Nairobi to feature a diverse lineup of looks from nine fashion designers.
Each designer had the opportunity to present their skills and craftsmanship by creating an original haute couture creation using 6.5 meters of cotton/rayon blend hand-dyed fabric from RefuSHE’s Artisan Collective Fall/Winter 2022 collection. Designers were also paired with a RefuSHE refugee, whose story helped inspire the look.
Designers David Avido, Simone Mubare, Iona McCreath, Alex Muchena, Sylvia Yegon, Peggy Onyango, John Kaveke, Monica Kanari, and Sylvia Mwaniki revealed their stunning creations to a panel of top professionals and fashion luminaries, including Kenyan media personality Adelle Onyango, Vice President of Design at Kendra Scott, Denise Chumlea, IAMISIGO’s Creative Director Bubu Ogisi, Vice President of Strategic Community Engagement & External Affairs at Best Buy, Amelia Hardy, Co-Founder, and CEO of Isthmus App, Carley Lake, CIO Africa Editor-in-Chief, Carol Odero, and Founder and Chief Creative Designer of KAHINDO, Kahindo Mateene.
Monica Kanari took home the title as the judges winner for her stunning gown. During the live stream she shared why she wanted to be a part of this year’s challenge. “The RefuSHE Fashion Challenge drew my attention because they work with young girls who don’t have the same opportunities that we take for granted and for that reason I thought you know, why not do something that is different, that will inspire somebody, that will tell somebody’s story in a different way.”
In addition to the panel’s top choice, readers have a chance to cast their own ballot to vote for the Fashion Challenge 2022: Destination Nairobi winner. Ahead, check out each runway look, read more about the nine designers, then pick your favorite. (All proceeds benefit RefuSHE’s work to empower and provide resources for refugee women and children.)
Voting ends on Sunday, February 27, so be sure to check back on GraziaMagazine.com on Monday to meet the winner.
David Avido
For David Avido fashion is about fostering self-reliance and building awareness. The 24-year-old designer started his brand, Lookslike Avido, after years of discovering his skills and craftmanship on the streets of Kenya. The self-taught designer then went on to BIFA College where he was able to perfect his skills and turn it into the brand it is today. Since launching Lookslike Avido, he has built a significant following in Nairobi and abroad, making clothes for private clients like Don Carlos, Octopizzo, G Money, Kelissa, Naiboi, Chronixx, Nasty C, Talia Oyando, Fenna Gitu, Ty Dolla Sign, Agent Sasco, Chris Martin, Romain Virgo, Everton Blender, to name a few. In addition to his brand, Avido launched The Avido Foundation to give back to his community in Kibera, which offers vocational training, school uniform manufacturing, scholarships, mentorships and emergency relief.
Simone Mubare
Much like in her personal life, Simone Mubare’s mission behind her line Garments of Anchor is to instill confidence in a person’s character through their wear. Her designs, both for men and women, show an appreciation of Mubare’s African heritage while also taking nodes from Western trends.
Iona McCreath
As the daughter of renowned fashion designer Ann McCreath of KikoRomeo, fashion has always been a part of Iona McCreath’s life as far back as she can remember. She has always been surrounded by highly skilled tailors and artisans and even played dress-up with clothes in the shop after school. At the young age of 17, Iona decided to make her love for fashion a career by joining the family business. She took charge of KikoRomeo subsidiary Kikoti, an affordable fashion-forward line aimed at youth, where she oversaw the design process. Now, as Creative Director of KikoRomeo, Iona produces collections that maintain the brand’s aesthetic and artistic heritage and introduce fresh takes on fashion. As the brand enters its 25th year, Iona continued to redefine its representation and communication, bringing to the fore a lot of the social impact work that KikoRomeo has done.
Alex Muchena
In 2013, Nairobi-based designer Alex Muchena launched his label Afro Moda Kenya, a contemporary African lifestyle brand filled with bold prints and unique edgy silhouettes. When deciding what to name his brand, Muchena settled on merging the word “afro” representing his African heritage and culture, with the word “moda,” the Italian word for style. Afro Moda Kenya seeks to tell an African story about great cultural diversity and heritage through bold and vibrant colors, motifs, prints, and designs with a deep commitment to individuality and personal style.
Sylvia Yegon
Sylvia Obogwe Yegon’s brand, Zakia Designs, specializes in both menswear and womenswear. The designer by trade creations ranges from kitenge outfits, wedding gowns, workwear and uniforms and ventures into lifestyle with soft furnishings. When Yegon isn’t designing, she offers training in fashion design, interior design, event decoration, flower arrangement, hairdressing, and beauty therapy at Zakia College of Design in Kenya. Yegon’s mission as a teacher is to prepare her students for professional excellence in design and business, her broader ethos is to foster creativity, inspire leadership, impart a global perspective, and educate students to embrace inclusiveness, commit to sustainability, and engage with their community.
Peggy Onyango
Peggy Onyango, the designer behind the eponymous label Peggie’ O‘s, is all about making beautiful things with great creativity that depicts the beauty of Africa. Focusing on sophisticated, elegant, and timeless designs, Onyango prioritizes style coupled with expert use of fabrics and techniques, including surface texturizing garments of impeccable quality. Her collections promote garments and raw materials sourced from Africa and go a long way in proving that African fashion is versatile in all seasons.
John Kaveke
A graduate of Woodgrove Fashion College in Kenya and Instituto Europeo di Mode in Barcelona, Spain, John Kaveke launched his fashion label in 1999 and is well known for his bold contemporary style. 15 years in the game, the Nairobi-based designer’s creations have graced runways at fashion week in New York, London, Sarajevo, Nigeria, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nairobi and Kenya.
Monica Kanari
Growing up with a fashion designer mother, Monica Kanari has always had an interest in fashion. As she got older, Kanari decided it was time to turn her interest into a career and took her mother’s business to the next level. Today, the zero waste label MK Monica Kanari has been up and running for over 20 years. Kanari produces high-quality, custom-made evening, occasional, and corporate outfits with a contemporary African flair for men, women and children. Ethnicity is an inspiration that will catch your eye in almost all her creations. In addition to her eponymous label, Kanari also recently opened a leather crafts line called Ngozi featuring bags, wallets and accessories.
Sylvia Mwaniki
Since starting her label, Sylvia Diva, Sylvia Mwaniki has mainly been focused on creating stunning womenswear garments but recently began designing men’s and kid’s wear. The recent Kenyatta University graduate enjoys a colorful palette and exciting prints that brings a smile to peoples faces.
