Made in Kenya

PHOTO | FILE TV presenters Ian Mugoya and Tamima Ibrahim in Epic Nation T-shirts.

In today’s Kenyan urban culture, fashion has become a defining element amongst the youth. The result has caused a fashion revolution of sorts with an emerging crop of young designers stepping up to quench the insatiable demand amongst contemporary fashion lovers.

While some of these new brands are fronted by popular celebrity figures, most of them rely purely on their ingenuity and trendiness to carve their niche within the growing market. Here are some of the most popular Kenyan street fashion labels currently.

BLACKBIRD JEANS

From street hustlers to global fashion icons, the Blackbird duo of Zeddie and Sydney was established in the hoods of Nairobi’s Eastlands estates and today boasts of appearances in some of the most prestigious fashion runways in London, Paris and New York. With their African inspired denim designs, Blackbird is without a doubt the most internationally recognizable and established Kenyan men’s fashion line in existence.

VAZZI

A pioneering name in Kenyan street fashion, Brian Omina’s Vazzi label is arguably the most established brand in the Kenyan market. Urban hip hop outfit Camp Mulla are mostly credited for growing the Vazzi name by sporting the tee’s in their music videos and almost all their social appearances. From cotton T-shirts to denim jackets and snap backs, Vazzi represents the epitome of street funk, hence the immense popularity it enjoys.

EPIC NATION

When former Skylux Lounge resident DJ Redeye decided to establish a merchandize line, he banked on the popularity and fan base of fellow DJ Crème de la Crème to popularize his new product. Within no time, Epic Nation had become a household name on Kenyan streets with every urbanite eager to get their hands on their hip line of T-shirts, tank tops, hoodies and snap backs.

OCTOPIZZO

Ever the entrepreneurial mind, Octopizzo hinged on his surging musical success to develop a T-shirt line that has rapidly grown to become one of the most sought after brands in Kenyan street wear. While there are several variations of his self branded tees, his ‘Ivo Ivo Ivo’ line is definitely the most successful yet and the numerous celebs and fans who don them is testament of this.

ZAMANI WEAR

Sanford Masinde and Florah Muchiri are the brains behind Kenya’s latest street fashion craze, Zamani Wear. Less than a year old, this Kenyan themed T-shirt line seeks to bring out the individualism in its wearers through its unique designs.

KENYANDULA
As it would seem, Kenyan youths’ fashion savvy is not limited to clothing apparel. The latest entrant into this bulging market is designer Ephy Saint with a bold shoe design that’s got to be a first of its kind. With dazzling print designs laced over canvas and leather, Kenyandula is rapidly becoming a must have in any trendy youngster’s closet.