TOP FIVE

           Inspired. Creative.
Words to describe Kenyan fashion designers on any day. Kenyans have begun to embrace and support Kenyan designs rather than opt for the usual second hand or large scale retail clothes they are used to. Fashion pieces crafted by these designers are now frequently gracing our red carpet events.
This is evidence that even though the Kenyan fashion industry has a space to fill to match up with their international counterparts, nonetheless the Fashion industry is growing and at a very fast rate.

Today we'll look at a list of Top 5 Kenyan designers. They continue to produce beautiful works of fashion that can satisfy any mwananchi's style buds, regardless of age, size or design preference.
Lets take a look.

1. Ann McCreath

Ann studied fashion in Rome and has worked as a designer in Barcelona. She took a 3-month break to do aid work in Kenya, found it fascinating and stayed on for 3 years, before deciding to go back to her profession and do trade instead of aid.

So in 1996 with a desire to help create jobs in rural areas and make unique, high quality products for retail Ann launched her own fashion house under the name “KikoRomeo”, which means “Adam’s Apple” in Kiswahili.

She retailed through her own garage shop. Now 18 years on KikoRomeo is a household name. Located in the up market Yaya shopping centre of Nairobi, the shop also acts as a venue for #FashionFocus mentoring sessions for young creatives, which she runs free of charge every week. KikoRomeo is the fashion leader in Kenya, having dressed Kenya’s A list and international clients for nearly two decades.

Ann has won many awards for her work in fashion and peace building, and was listed in the “Top 100 Women Influencing Africa” by Arise Magazine Read the Arise article , as well as being a finalist in the Ethical Fashion Forum Source Awards 2012 for “Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Fashion”. She is Chair of FAFA (Festival of African Fashion & Arts), which she co-founded in 2008 to produce “Fashion for Peace”, and is currently the Kenya Coordinator for Fashion Revolution Day.

Her story is remarkable. True proof that patience pays. Quite literally

2. Patricia Mbela

Another renown designer.

CEO and Head Designer, fashion design and ethnic jewelry at POISA.

POISA means "To Make" or "To craft")

She studied at Central St. Martins College of Art and Design and later studied at Kent Institute of Art and Design.

Her work displays a collection of vibrant and bold African energy. Authentic coupled with an aura of elegance, confidence and fun

Hers was a passion for fashion. Her fashion house currently offers internship programs to upcoming designers. She has been crowned with many awards including one from the Swahili Fashion Week in Tanzania. Her collection continues to grace international catwalks and scopes creative African Jewelry and Fashion wear.

3.John Kaveke

Owner and Fashion designer at Kaveke.

He launched his fashion label Kaveke in 2001 and today renown for his contemporary African tailoring style.

His Collections have graced global catwalks such as African London Fashion Week (London), Sarajevo Fashion Week (Bosnia), Hub of Africa (Ethiopia), Swahili Fashion Week (Tanzania), Uganda Fashion Week ,M-Net Face of Africa (Nigeria), The Big Brother Africa House (South Africa), Catwalk Kenya, Lake Magadi project, Festival for African Fashion & Art (Nairobi), International Smirnoff Fashion Awards (Nairobi) just to mention a few.

He graduated from Woodvale Grove Fashion College in Nairobi and later furthered his studies at the Instituto Europeo di Design in Barcelona. He's collections display timeless style and creativity.

4. Anne Sophie 

Founder and head designer at Achera Designs. This upcoming designer has big dreams for her fledgling fashion label.

 

She hales from Kenya where she started by designing and sewing outfits for herself and friends. This became her passion, more-so she made it her career and began working as a design assistant for Liz Ogumbo. But later when Liz relocated to South Africa, it called to her to start her own fashion company.

She has taken fashion related courses in London and studied fashion illustration. She also holds a Master's in International Law and Diplomacy.

Her collection has gunnered recognition having graced many fashion shows such as the 2011 African Fashion Fair.

5. Jamil Walji

Owner and Lead Fashion Designer JW Couture. 

He graduated from Limkokwing University of creative technology Malaysia and was awarded a Presidential award for excellence being one of the best in Fashion and Retail design.

He later moved back to Nairobi to start his own company in 2011.

His aim was to develop African designs laced with a modern touch, resulting in  dynamic and diverse collection. He's work has graced the catwalks of numerous shows across the globe. 

He won Designer of the year of Kenya Fashion Awards.

Creative talent is spewing over in Kenya. And upcoming artists are budding all across. The fashion Industry looks promising. 

Keep watch for these talents lovies. You never know when you might need a custom made design for that special occasion.

Till next time.

Stay safe. 

Xo!

LACED AND PINK

Hey beautiful people.


All matters fashion today.

Style feature today is colored pants. I think people are growing out of the stereotyped black and blue pants,slowly embracing bold colored pants. This according to me is the evolution of the futuristic  world of fashion I envisioned, a while back, taking references and pointers from the hunger games movie.

I decide to pair mine off with a white laced blouse. There is a lot to say about color and fashion, here are a few of my tips.

                                           

 1. Neutrals and color

I toned down the pink pants by using neutral colors for the shoes and blouse- black and white.
If you're opting to add fun to your outfit but still keep it formal, toning down the bright with dull colors will do just the trick.
Pairing off your pants with shades of dull colors will add life to your outfit.

2. Bold and Colors


The variations of working your colored pants are limitless.
For example: working your colored pants with another bright but complimentary shade will add a kick to your outfit and make you stand out. shades of bold pink or bright yellow could do just the trick. but two colors in an outfit are just but enough. A third shade might leave you looking too busy. 2 bold colors and a neutral.



                                                                  

                                                     



                                                               
 


3.Bold and Nudes

Here you could work bright colored pants with nude shades. Not to overlook the fact the nudes are the color of the season.

So get a colored pair of pants and make it happen.
Keep rocking your colors bold and fun.
Till next time

                                             



XO.

DENIM UP!

Hey people! Been a minute.
Been up and about working on the blog, and like I promised you a new read, here it is!

Our style focus today is Denim. You might want to know that Jacob Davis was responsible for the denim invention, if I may call it that, in 1871. Denims were originally designed for cowboys and miners, for arduous work and things like that, until the1950 when they were favored among the youth as fashion trendy. Anyway this is no history class,  so let's get to it.


MY DENIM STORY

Denim has been used to style and feature a number of clothing in the western culture. From trousers, to jackets, to shirts and skirts.

My look today is on the denim shirt and skirt.



    
                                          




                                         

Denim is regarded as a laid back look, keeping things casual. But if you throw in some wedges or heels into it, it could spell all things formal.



                                         

 

 

                                         

            Denim shirt- from Toy Market
      
         Velvet Red Pump Shoes- Toy Market

      Denim Skirt- CBD

   Pearl Chocker Necklace- Fond gift
  
Pearl and studded earrings- CBD


                                               




You could work your denim shirt with a pencil skirt, tights or shorts.
The denim skirt will go with just about any top in your wardrobe.

Feel free to comment and let me know what other denim looks you're rocking.


Let's keep it fiercely denim.

Till next time, Strawberries and Cream.
Xo.
    

                                     

STRIPED AFFAIR

Hey beautiful people. Hope y'all  good. Today lets view matters simply in black and white. We'll take a look at another trending street look which is... the black and white striped skirt. You may have already seen tones of people pulling this look, but with a few style tips you can rock it as your own look too.

1. Formal affair
When wearing this skirt to formal places such as to work, try a tucked in black or white laced blouse-btw lace is so in,  and nice pumps to match and voila!


You could do a bold jacket color to add spark to your outfit and you're good to go.





2.Casual affair

When wearing this skirt lets say for a day out with the girls, or shopping you want to keep this outfit fun and casual.
 Try some crop top with the skirt along with sandals.
Add in that hat for a style pop.

 Christina Milian

You could also do boots and a denim, for a more hood look.


3.Evening affairs

Here you want look elegant missus, like a goddess with beauty Beth rowed upon us humans, and of course upon your date or significant others for a good night out.
Try the bandage skirt with wedges and black velvet blouse. Throw in that statement necklace and bracelet, some wedges and you're good to go.








Now am trying to make it a point of my own to keep you, my readers on tabs with my current activities. Music is food for the soul they always say, depends on whether you believe its true. Calvin Harris album is out, Motion, and it sure sounds divouse(divine house music).

That's my tune for the week. Feel free to comment and tell me what tunes you're currently bumming to and also other variations you've tried out with your skirt.

Stay safe.
Strawberries and cream.

PLAID AND SIMPLE

It’s the reincarnation of the 90’s and plaid shirts are with us again. Here are do’s and don’ts to making sure you rock your plaid shirts right from the word go. Plaid shirts are fun and relaxed adding style and youth to an outfit . It’s a trendy 2015 look.

Its tartan pattern originated from Scotland. You can picture the renown pipers of Scotland fluting away in their bagpipes wearing plaid skirts. During the 17th Century plaid in kilt fabrics were considered a symbol of rebellion against England. But as world order was restored, even the Prince of England rocks plaid shirts.  We have many mainstream artists like Kanye and Breezy also rocking this look.
 

 

 

Here are some ways to wear your plaid shirt.

1.       Plaid shirt around the waist with shorts.

When wearing plaid shirts with shorts, make sure the colour of the shirt matches either your shorts or top inorder to get a blended look. You could do a boldcolour plaid shirt to add a spark to your outfit.

2.       Plaid shirt around the waist with skinny jeans.

This brings out a casual look to your outfit. Try on some heels and you colud wear this to a date.

Add some sunglasses to get that edgy look and you better than good.

 

3.       Plaid shirt around the waist with a dress.

This gives a nice laid back look. Pair it up with boots or sandals and you’ll be good to go. Make sure the shirt you choose has shades that blen well with the dress, to get a fresh look.

 

Amber Rose

 

Vanessa Hudgens

4.          Plaid shirt with a pencil skirt.

This is when you want to pull of an official look that still spells laid back. Here you can try a different shade of plaid shirt to the color of skirt you'll be wearing.






 

Grab a shirt and make it happen. Till next time, stay safe.