Attendees at the ongoing FESTAC Africa Festival were treated to a display of beautiful colours on Friday as different designers projected African culture with their various fashion pieces.
Models of different sizes strutted the runway at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu, Kenya, exhibiting the works of some Kenya-based fashion designers.
One of the designers and FESTAC fashion ambassadors, Brenda Onono, noted that she was inspired by the need to tell the African story with her designs.
Onono, who owns the brand, Marumara Creations, said, “My pieces were inspired by Africa’s rich cultural heritage and diversity, as well as environmental conservation by recycling.”
The duo of Faith Achieng and Christine Apondi, who own the brand, Afychrys, stated that their collection incorporated designs in West, East and South Africa.
Speaking on how long it took them to prepare for the show, Achieng said, “It took us about two months to come up with this collection, consisting of traditional attire.”
Apondi added, “African fashion needs more marketing and re-presentation. It is still under-represented. Many Africans are still putting on Europeans, and neglecting their own. Meanwhile, we have beautiful fabrics and lots of designs that fashion designers can work with to better project African fashion.
“FESTAC is a very good platform because it celebrates African culture, food, fashion and music.
“However, I noticed that some people were putting on Western wear. I would have thought that anybody coming to an event like this would put on African wear.”
Emphasising her belief in the growth of the continent’s fashion space, she said, “There is a lot of potential for African fashion. There are over one billion people on the continent, and African designers can make clothes for them. There is no point producing garments in China and importing them to Africa.”
Another designer, Tabby Yalla, who is the brain behind the brand, Goddess, explained that her collection was inspired by her surroundings.
Yalla said, “I was inspired by Kenyan culture. I wanted to do something that would project the country, and that’s why I used the Masai fabric. I also incorporated different fabrics.”
Lauding FESTAC for its contribution to the growth of African fashion, she said, “A show like FESTAC tells the African story, from our culture to every aspect of our way of life for the world to see.”
The Nairobi-based entrepreneur advised other designers to be creative.
“We need to be go-getters and very creative. The future is very bright, and African designers are taking centre stage. We just need to put in more hard work, and our work can be at par with other designers in other parts of the world,” she urged.
Earlier in the day, a youth empowerment summit held at the Kisumu campus of the University of Nairobi.
Meanwhile, the festival of arts and culture continues on Saturday, August 31, with a gala dinner and other events.
