Kenya’s premier fashion event, Nairobi Fashion Week, is set to make a return for its seventh edition, this time with a bold new theme: Regenerative Fashion Renaissance: Restoring Culture and Nature. The event aims to spotlight fashion that not only minimizes environmental harm but actively contributes to the restoration of the planet.
Scheduled to take place from January 29 to February 1, 2025, at the Sarit Center, the fashion week promises to be an exciting showcase of creativity, sustainability, and innovation. It will emphasize the urgent need for a more responsible and circular fashion industry.
This year’s theme marks a shift in the sustainability conversation. While traditional sustainability focuses on minimizing damage, regenerative fashion goes further by seeking to restore ecosystems, cultures, and communities through fashion production. The event will explore how designers, brands, and consumers can participate in creating a circular fashion economy that benefits both people and the planet.
Mr. Brian Kihindas, the Creative Director of Nairobi Fashion Week, explained that the theme aligns with their mission to position Africa as a global leader in sustainability. He shared, “We are working to establish a platform for sustainable designers across Africa, rooted in the region’s cultural values. Our goal is to promote organic fabrics and sustainable fashion, and we believe this platform will help us reclaim and celebrate our story.”
The 2025 edition of Nairobi Fashion Week will feature designers who are pioneering the change needed in the industry, with a focus on incorporating recycling and upcycling into fashion production and consumption. The event will also serve as a platform for industry leaders, environmental activists, and sustainability experts to discuss the future of recycling in fashion and the broader possibilities for a circular economy within the industry.
By adopting a circular fashion model, Nairobi Fashion Week aims to shift the narrative and show how the fashion industry can be part of the solution, rather than contributing to the problem, Kihindas asserted.
The event will highlight designers who not only showcase innovative styles but also adhere to responsible practices that reflect environmental consciousness and cultural heritage. Among the standout brands will be LaOculta, a womenswear label founded by Catalina and Sofia, which blends cross-cultural artisanal techniques from Kenya and Colombia to create slow fashion pieces with sustainable production methods.
Also featured is SOKOLATA, a high-end, eco-responsible ready-to-wear brand founded by Sikoti Mbaitjongue from Senegal. Known for its use of natural African materials, including organic cotton from Senegal and traditional handwoven fabrics from West Africa, SOKOLATA minimizes environmental impact through its ethical sourcing and production processes.
Another key player is Maisha By Nisria, a non-profit fashion and design studio based in Nakuru, Kenya. Known for its innovative approach to upcycling, Maisha By Nisria transforms discarded textiles into unique, contemporary pieces that showcase creativity and sustainability.
Kenyan womenswear designer Eva Wambutu, who made a notable debut at Nairobi Fashion Week Season 6, will return to the runway, showcasing her signature silhouette-focused designs.
The jewellery and accessories brand Apar Gadek, led by Shirley Anyango and collaborating with artisans from Kibera, will also add its unique touch to the event. Apar Gadek’s pieces, crafted from materials such as brass, recycled glass beads, and upcycled cow horn and bone, each carry a story of sustainability and cultural heritage.
As Nur M Nasria, founder of Maisha By Nisria, concludes: “People are becoming more aware of where their garments come from and are shifting away from fast fashion. Nairobi Fashion Week is not just about showcasing beautiful clothes—it’s about telling the story of our planet and the people who inhabit it.”
Nairobi Fashion Week 2025 will undoubtedly serve as a groundbreaking celebration of fashion that blends culture, innovation, and sustainability, setting a new standard for the fashion industry both locally and globally.
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