Fashion Challenge 2023: Meet the Designers
This year, we're celebrating RefuSHE's 15th anniversary by bringing the Fashion Challenge to the site of our impact: Kenya. Nairobi-based designers will volunteer their time and talent to create original runway-ready looks using fabric hand-dyed by RefuSHE’s Artisan Collective. Each designer will be paired with two young refugee women in RefuSHE’s program: (1) a mentee interested in learning more about fashion design and tailoring and (2) a model who will walk the runway in their one-of-a-kind garment. These partnerships will culminate in a live fashion show event inspired by the resilient stories of refugee girls.
Meet the talented designers participating in Fashion Challenge 2023: Celebrating 15 Years on October 7, 2023!
MONICA KANARI
FABRIC: Samosa Malindi Breeze
MENTEE: Annette
MODEL: Noella
Monica Kanari grew up surrounded by fashion and spent time coming up with designs for various outfits. Her interests grew over the years, and she later realized that a career in the fashion industry was fulfilling and lucrative both locally and internationally. Armed with a passion for fashion and great drawing skills, Monica decided to take her mother’s business to the next level.
MK Monica Kanari has been up and running for over 20 years. Her brand specializes in producing 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. Clients are dressed for weddings, funerals, interviews, cultural ceremonies, red carpet, prom dresses, and many more. Monica has also opened a leather crafts line called Ngozi featuring bags, wallets, and accessories.
Monica takes a keen interest in making sure that her garments produce zero waste. The brand understands fabric, cut, fit, and balance with extra care to avoid fabric waste.
Monica remarks that seeing the happy expressions of her clients when they receive what they want gives her a lot of joy. What is important to them is important to her. MK Monica Kanari's promise is to give a great fit and a good finish on time.
Monica previously participated as a designer in RefuSHE’s Fashion Challenge 2022: Destination Nairobi.
AKISA KAUER
FABRIC: Nadia Mangrove Forest
MENTEE: Solange
MODEL: Elizabeth P.
With a background in Environmental Science, Akisa Kauer founded Vazi Afriq in 2016 with the aim of creating an ethical brand that produces sustainable products and benefits the well-being of people and the planet.
Vazi Afriq is a socially responsible label and fashion enterprise headquartered in Western Kenya (Busia). The brand empowers local tailors and artisans through the promotion of Kenyan craftsmanship. Vazi Afriq masterpieces, ranging from clothes and home accessories to sustainable handbags, have graced the international market with its products in concept shops based in Fribourg, Bulle, and Morat (Switzerland), and Marseille, France.
You can shop Vazi Afriq’s collection of vibrant and unique ready-to-wear pieces for both men and women online at Shop Zetu.
JOHN KAVEKE
FABRIC: Yvette Samburu Sunrise
MENTEE: Chantal Na.
MODEL: Priscilla
With over 15 years of expertise in the fashion industry, John Kaveke has graced the international platform of Fashion Week Events in New York, USA; London, United Kingdom; Sarajevo, Bosnia; Lagos & Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Port Louis, Mauritius; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Nairobi & Mombasa, Kenya.
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.
John Kaveke is a free-spirited individual with a passion for reconstructing vibrations through his work. His creative designs have been known to bring about individualism, strength, and artistry. His major focus is on bespoke but contemporary garments.
John previously participated as a designer in RefuSHE’s Fashion Challenge 2022: Destination Nairobi.
WILLIAM KITHEKA
FABRIC: India Rose & Clay
MENTEE: Chantal Ny.
MODEL: Marleen
William Kitheka is a talented and creative fashion designer based in Mukuru, Nairobi. With a passion for unique and innovative designs, William has quickly become a rising star in the fashion industry with this brand Mabatini Studio. He draws inspiration from the vibrant culture of Nairobi and infuses it into his collections, creating a fusion of tradition and modernity.
With his keen eye for detail and exceptional craftsmanship, William is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of fashion and creating pieces that are both beautiful and wearable. Whether you're looking for a statement piece or a timeless classic, William Kitheka is a designer worth watching.
SAMIR MAOMBI
FABRIC: Starburst Coral Garden
MENTEE: Aline N.
MODEL: Elizabeth Y.
Samir Maombi, also known as Samir Breezy, is a 27-year-old designer who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He is a refugee and has been living in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana County, Kenya for 10 years.
Fashion means a lot to Samir who grew up seeing creative works in his daily life and at Congolese celebrations where everyone’s clothes were tailor-made and colorful.
Samir is the founder and creative director of Kolakisa, a sustainable fashion brand launched in 2023 at Nairobi Design Week. Samir designs both men's and women’s wear and draws inspiration from people in his community. He is also passionate about giving back and offers tailoring and design training through Kolakisa to single mothers and young girls in the community so they can become skilled supporters of their families.
ALEX MUCHENA
FABRIC: Daratu Safari Style
MENTEE: Benigne
MODEL: Faith
Alex Muchena is the head designer and founder of Afro Moda Kenya, a contemporary African lifestyle brand established in Nairobi in 2013. ‘Afro’ represents African Heritage and Culture while ‘Moda’ is an Italian Word for style.
Alex’s brand seeks to tell an African story about great cultural diversity and heritage through bold and vibrant colors, motifs, prints, and designs. Afro Moda Kenya's deep commitment to individuality and personal style can be clearly seen in the unique and edgy pieces he produces. Alex's signature aesthetic is bold fabric which has a global appeal and is aligned with the latest fashion trends.
Alex participated as a designer in RefuSHE’s Fashion Challenge 2022: Destination Nairobi and previously taught a three-month dressmaking workshop for the young refugee women of RefuSHE's Artisan Collective.
DIANA MWELESA
FABRIC: Takuma Dhow Cruise
MENTEE: Zahabu
MODEL: Christine
Diana Mwelesa is a 24-year-old designer with an ardent passion for art and fashion. She is the Creative Director of Uncommon Rebel, A Unisex Streetwear Brand in Kenya.
This creative fashion brand was born in 2020 during the pandemic, initially as a styling venture, and has evolved to include a fashion line as well. Despite lacking a formal background in fashion, Diana has grown Uncommon Rebel from her own genuine ardor, artistic flare, and innate appreciation for creativity.
Through blending all of Diana’s artistic facets, Uncommon Rebel is a brand that celebrates uniqueness and empowers individuals to express themselves through their clothing choices.
LIZ NJOROGE
FABRIC: Angie Golden Chai
MENTEE: Cynthia
MODEL: Gizelle
Liz Njoroge is the founder of Liz Njoroge Collection (LNC), a lifestyle and fashion brand that focuses on providing comfort and style to individuals of class. Her label specializes in bespoke pieces and ready-to-wear Afrocentric outfits for both fashionable men and women. Liz’s designs are modern and trendy with a strong eye for fit and tailoring. She enjoys creating modern silhouettes that transform an ordinary design into a sophisticated look.
The LNC team strives to put a smile on every client’s face through a ready-to-wear line that focuses on dresses, skirts, blouses, shirts, shorts, jackets, and trousers with an African accent. LNC also designs and supplies custom-made uniforms and branded corporate gear. LNC Homes and Gifts specializes in shoes, notebooks, cushions, watches, mats, napkin holders, and other gift items.
Liz’s design ethos is rooted in intricate embroidery and eccentric beadwork from recycled scraps, including discarded fabric, bones, beads, and brass.
PEGGY ONYANGO
FABRIC: Fartun Sapphire & Sand
MENTEE: Aline B.
MODEL: Nyakuoth
Peggy Onyango has a knack for making beautiful things with great creativity that depict the beauty of Africa. Her brand is inspired by women of influence to create designs that are sophisticated, elegant, and timeless.
Dynamic in its response to local and global trends and influences, Peggie ‘O’ 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.
Peggie ‘O’ has a wide range of collections for every occasion including luxury bridal gowns, elegant evening dresses, and stylish casual wear. All of her designs are understated yet elegant. Peggy knows the power of pairing a classic fit with an experimental fabric or print.
Peggy previously participated as a designer in RefuSHE’s Fashion Challenge 2022: Destination Nairobi.
SYLVIA YEGON
FABRIC: Bwiza Tsavo Savanna
MENTEE: Beatrice
MODEL: Tera
Sylvia Yegon is a fashion designer by profession. Her brand, Zakia Designs, specializes in gentlemen's and ladies' wear, kitenge outfits, wedding gowns, maid dresses, uniforms, and soft furnishings.
Zakia Designs also offers training in fashion design, interior design, event decoration, flower arrangement, hairdressing, and beauty therapy at Zakia College of Design in Kenya. While Sylvia’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.
Sylvia previously participated as a designer in RefuSHE’s Fashion Challenge 2022: Destination Nairobi.