made in Kenya

odAOMO: On Statement Pieces, Sustainability, and Giving Back

by Natalie Kimani|20 March 201924 September 2019|Fashion, Features

odAOMO, which is ‘The House of Aomo’ in the Luo language, is an eco-friendly and ethically handcrafted brand made in Kenya. Founded by Dr. Sophia Aomo Omoro, the brand was officially launched in the USA in August 2014 and most...

KANGA: The Talking Cloth Of The East African Coast

by Natalie Kimani|19 November 201819 November 2018|Fashion, Features

If you live in Tanzania or Kenya, the kanga (also known as leso) has always been a component in your life. It’s incorporated in massive life events such as birth, matrimonial and burial ceremonies. You’ve probably used it in interior...

Get SUED: African Timing with SUED Watches, Made In Kenya

by Natalie Kimani|27 September 201827 September 2018|Design, Fashion

SUED is a Kenyan watch brand that wants you to keep time in the most African way. You must be wondering, ‘isn’t African Timer used to describe an individual who never keeps time?’ Sue Mueni, founder of SUED, took a...

NEW TO TDS: IKWETTA – Perfecting The ‘Bikini For Your Feet’

by Natalie Kimani|18 September 201818 September 2018|Business, Fashion

Ikwetta, the Swahili word for equator, is an imaginary line around the middle earth, that happens to pass through Nanyuki, Kenya. It’s also the name and inspiration behind the Kenyan footwear brand that specialises in leather sandals. If an imaginary...

NEW TO TDS: In Knots Over ZOE SEVAK, Made In Kenya

by Natalie Kimani|24 August 201824 August 2018|Design, Fashion

Over a decade ago, love brought Zoe Sevak to Kenya. A lawyer by profession with an MBA, Zoe left her home country of Greece to be with her husband. But it wouldn’t be until October 2017 that she would launch...

NEW TO TDS: The Signature Collection from AIRI KENYA

by Natalie Kimani|22 August 201822 August 2018|Design, Fashion

Change is the only constant. While we all commence with a set vision and narrative, those too become subject to this truth. Airi Kenya may have launched its first collection in October 2015 as a commercial fashion brand, but the...

KAHAARI: Extending African Print To The Boardroom & Beyond

by Natalie Kimani|18 August 201817 August 2018|Business, Fashion

Who says African print should be confined to special occasions? Certainly not Kahaari (ka-haa-ri). Originating from the Swahili word “Kifahari”, which means elegant, this Made in Kenya brand wants to make African prints and designs a staple in the casual...

RTW Fashion Like A Boss: Vivo Activewear’s Wandia Gichuru

by Natalie Kimani|30 June 201730 June 2017|Business, Fashion

"Let’s take Made in Kenya to a whole new level!” Words the co-founder and manager of Vivo Activewear, Wandia Gichuru, confidently champions on their dynamic website. Since 2011, this ready-to-wear (RTW) brand has steadily grown from an idea to a...

The Colourful & Quirky Fusion Style of Kangarui

by Natalie Kimani|17 April 201711 January 2018|Design

As an artist, you never want your work to have the Déjà vu effect on your audience. A pandemic that can be experienced everywhere from biashara street in the Nairobi CBD to the curios in Maasai market. So when you...

By Hand With Heart: Hand Printed Fabrics By Simply Sandara

by Natalie Kimani|07 April 201711 January 2018|Design

Interior decorating is more than choosing the right accessories and furniture. Fabrics, with veracious patterns or design, go a long way to creating the ideal ambience in a space for you. Despite the slump of the once vibrant textile industry...

LULEA: Luxury with a Purpose

by Natalie Kimani|08 July 201621 October 2016|Fashion, Features

Luxury is often associated with exclusion. However award-winning, internationally acclaimed premium leather and accessories designer, Edmond Chesneau, has had a different approach to the craft. The master craftsman was inspired to start Luxury Leather Africa (LULEA) and the ‘Centre of...

TDS Creative: Sandstorm Kenya Part II

by Natalie Kimani|18 June 201621 October 2016|Business, Features

If you missed the first part of this story we suggest you start here: no seriously! Talking about this Kenyan brand so far has covered everything from drones, to a Hollywood movie and the Royals. However this all didn't happen over...

TDS Creatives: Sandstorm Part I

by Natalie Kimani|17 June 201621 October 2016|Business, Features

You can’t miss it. In every sleek mall there’s a minimalistic store that breathes the air of safari and adventure. Sandstorm Kenya has come a long way from its luxury safari tents manufacturing days and their success through their leather and...