As the International Press Institute brought top media players from the international world to Kenya, local designers took the opportunity to give the best of Kenya.
The catwalk was at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi. The models, truly Kenyan, the clothes, with a hint of ethnic hue, but polished on the edges to give them an international look.
Among the top local designers was Sue Muraya. Her designs are, as she says, for the "modern African woman comfortable in her identity and still very fashionable. It is what we call contemporary fashion."
The beads blended perfectly with Sue's choice of bright colours. In essence, colours reminiscent of the African brilliancy. Hence the oranges, the purples and fuchsia. "A lot of the modern world designers use plenty of black perhaps because their clients want to blend in. But not in Africa, where we are not afraid to stand out," Sue told Lifestyle.
Peon Glamour, was represented by designer Peggy Onyango, who used kikoi in her collection probably because it is becoming some kind of Kenyan identity. In these particular collections, she tried to move a little away from the bead work and embroidery but did a bit of crotchety. A replacement perhaps. "It is more of our mothers and grandmothers type of artwork, with a little modernity," she says. Nevetheless, the impact was great.
Monica Kanari, from Occassions N' Days in Nairobi South 'C', also graced the evening. Hers was a beautiful collection of contemporary bridal and evening wear. The fabrics - raw silk here, satin there and some taffetta. This will go well with the woman who is tired of the traditional bridal gown.
"People are moving away from the traditional white gown and now want gold, ivory, burgurdy," she says.
Betty Vanetti, of Earthy Creations, also had her moment. Her signature style is tie and dye and her theme was African print blended with modernity - a style for the young and fresh. Her fabrics are 100 per cent natural.
Moo Cow with their characteristic use of traditional African designs made their mark, too. Silk, tie and dye and suede, was their choice of fabrics, with plenty of polished horn and born pieces sewn onto the clothes. The accessories by Maro Designs gave the collection a classic look. For a smart, casual, yet high quality look, this are the people to seek out for.
Sally Karago, in her bid to promote the Kenyan fabric, had a lovely fusion of the kikoi and linen. The headscarves were meant to symbolise Africa and she used colourful kazuri beads, which worked beautifully with the garments. Her show-stopper, had a blend of three fabrics: taffetta, raw silk and kikoi - quite original!
