Described as the “signature fashion event of the year,” Naivasha Fashion Weekend marked itself once again in its second edition at Enashipai Spa and Resort in Naivasha on Saturday 19 October 2013. Congratulations to Enashipai on recently being awarded the leading spa resort in the country at the World Tourism Awards. Thank you to Vaseline for the gift bags provided.
This event focuses on raising funds for the Naivasha charities as well as creating a powerful brand/marketing platform for our sponsors. The event premiered in 2012 and was a huge success featuring some of Kenya’s best designers. This year the event is scheduled to coincide with the opening of the new State of the Art Conference Centre at Enashipai with this year’s theme being ‘Wild at Heart’.
With entertainment from Chris Bittok and June Gachui, the afternoon was surrounded with excellent music that only got better keeping people alive and pretty chilled. Well done to Chris and June and the band! Here are a few images:
Back to Africa
Mikono Knits
June Gachui and Chris Bittok
Back to Africa
There were three shows, hosted by Pinky Ghelani, namely: “The Flower Power”, “Free as a Bird” and “Something Wild”. The Designers presenting were: (1) Maua Moments (2) Vaishali Morjaria (3) Brand Manciny by Manciny Migwi (4) MooCow by Wambui Njogu (5) Nesra Apparels (6) Ankara by Nick Abongo (7) Sara Karay (8) Mikono Knits (9) Jiamini by Anthony Mulli (10) Bellbijoux by Sarah Wangu (11) Simbaress Fashions by Diana Nekoye (12) Achera Fashion House by Annesophie (13) Peon Glamour by Peggy Onyango (14)Polka Boka by Kwame Bonsu (15) Kazuri Beads (16) Life Beads Kenya (17) La Mar by Marion Munga and Sylvia Ochola and (18) Amani ya Juu.
Although these shows were scheduled to take place at 12:30, 15:30 and 17:30 respectively the unexpected weather shift (rain and lots of it) caused a bit of an unexpected change in plan causing some delays which all worked out in the end.
Needless to say the shows were amazingly staged and choreographed (thanks for Urban Live and Surazuri), the background images corresponding to the themes of each designer, the music (see Business of Fashion- Anatomy of a Fashion Soundtrack) and the well staged set with metal carved wild animals that brought fashion and wildlife into a beautiful mix. Well done! Setting the bar nice and high.
The only downside to this whole event was this. The advertising for this event cited “great fashion bargains” which could translate to a veritable shopping experience therefore an array of goods. Well, not so much. There was a total of 14 stalls, 5 of which were corporate sponsors (Safaricom, Resolution Insurance, DSTV – Africa Magic, Cosmetics and Suzie Beuaty), one empty (mmm…), one was more on arts and crafts (fashion could be implied I guess), three from the charities that sponsored (pretty good stuff) based in Naivasha and four designers (2 of whom shared one stall) based in Nairobi. Perhaps a little more would have been nice. #amjustsaying. They could have provided more, one really stretched half hour around the stalls and it was done. Also,it would have been great to have shopped from the 18 designers that showcased just in case we loved what we saw. Next time I guess.
All in all, considering the weather, it was a good afternoon. Here are some pictures of the event below.
