Three Kenya designers join the Ethical Trend Initiative

The Ethical Trend Initiative, a jv from the UN and Environment Trade Organisation’s International Trade Centre, has selected three Kenyan makes - Katush by Katungulu Mwendwa, Suave, and Hamaji to take part in its second accelerator programme.

Each of the designers was chosen because of their “commitment to sustainability” because they make use of reclaimed and organic materials to create their collections, together with noting their nation and upbringing in Kenya as heavily inspiring their function.

The start of the Ethical Fashion Initiative Kenya Fashion Accelerator aims to highlight the distinct model talent within Kenya and follows the organisation’s successful start of their nationwide accelerator search in 2019.

You will have a focus on the precise needs of African fashion brands, with this accelerator programme, with a business development approach that prepares its beneficiaries to be investment ready, to accelerate their business in the global marketplace.

Simone Cipriani, mind and founder of the Ethical Style Initiative in the UN’s International Trade Center, said in a statement: “The continued production of our designer accelerator programmes found in Africa, give a new era of African design skill the opportunity to build relationships the international marketplace. Through education and mentoring we get to equalise the participating in field, giving contact with the incredible talent that is present on the continent.

“Each region in Africa has its own unique creative voice. Having the capacity to launch a programme dedicated to Kenya - the united states where Ethical Trend Initiative began its quest and where it possesses many of the most amazing collaborations - is a wonderful possibility to spotlight the innovative visionaries that place this nation apart.”

Ethical Style Initiative Kenya Vogue Accelerator to aid Katush by Katungulu Mwendwa, Suave, and Hamaji

The programme can help the selected manufacturer expand their supply chain and scale up their production, source services and develop their production team. Each custom made will be designated a development mentor, with whom one-to-one support meetings will need place, and additional mentoring and company production from the Ethical Fashion Initiative team and skillfully developed.

The accelerator will also support the operations and production of key patterns for the first collection to be made through experienced companies selected within the Ethical Style Initiative network.

In addition, the initiative will fast track the emerging African designer labels, through “identifying and strategising areas for growth” and funding towards creating a new product procedure or services. A diagnostic overview of the business may also happen every season to examine progress and tailor the programme to best fit and benefit each organization.

The programme will also help build manufacturer value by helping each business understand investment, develop strategies for maximising brand equity, build a funding proposition and market themselves as an attractive investment proposition to angel investors or VC funds. Each designer will end the accelerator with an possibility to pitch themselves to investors at a networking event.

Katush by Katungulu Mwendwa, founded and based in Nairobi, Kenya, is a leisure lifestyle brand supplying seasonless, timeless, transcendent informal and semi-formal have on heavily influenced by her upbringing and environment. The manufacturer experiments with modern tactics, impressive fabrics and traditional strategies, as well as dealing with elements that are organic and natural and or as sustainable as practical, such as for example Tencel and Cupro. They happen to be keen on dealing with cooperatives and businesses which may have a greater effect on the lives of these within confirmed society.

Suave Kenya was founded on 2013 by Mohammed Awale from an idea sparked by many trips to an area thrift market, Gikomba Industry, the greatest open-air market on East Africa. While rummaging among loads of oversized and discarded denim outfits, Awale learned the source material because of its bags, since it looks to get rid of the cycle of undesirable garments ending up in landfills. The handbags created by Suave Kenya are created with practicality at heart.

The final recipient is Hamaji, founded in 2017 by designer Louise Sommerlatte, it is a brand created around preserving ancient textile traditions and nomadic craftsmanship whilst empowering local small scale artisans in Africa. The manufacturer makes a narrative of sustainability and mindful consumerism through its selections using pure fibres, botanical dyes, handcraft, embroidery and up-cycled vintage textiles. Hamaji is motivated by East African appeal and embodies a spirit of nomadic femininity in pastel hues, free-moving silhouettes and a wonderful sense of elegance.

Commenting on joining the accelerator, Hamaji, stated: “I experience hugely honoured and extremely excited to be always a area of the Ethical Design Initiative accelerator program, to have this possibility to expand my understanding and become mentored in the development of my company in a sustainable approach with international and neighborhood expertise in Kenya.”