The year in fashion

Lupita Nyongo attending the 67th British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera on February 16, 2014 in London. The ever rising star that is Lupita Nyong’o brought the worlds focus to Kenya in a much needed positive way. PHOTO | AFP

By  WAMBUI KIBUE

What you need to know:

  • With an increase in consumers comes the need for consumer education.
  • Recent years have shown make-up plays a seemingly larger role in fashion leaning slightly towards an accessory.
  • Lastly, the ever rising star that is Lupita Nyong’o brought the worlds focus to Kenya in a much needed positive way.

Lace, denim on denim, crop tops, midi skirts, bold lips and black and white are just a few of the international fashion trends that Kenyans got to love and follow throughout the year.

Trends aside, 2014 has been a big growth year for the business of fashion in Nairobi. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of fashion designers, stylists, accessory designers, jewelry designers and fashion writers.

This year being in the fashion business was in fashion!

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2014 saw the introduction of several great platforms to help grow the industry like FA254’s African Designers for Tomorrow.

A competition in collaboration with VOGUE Germany, ESMOD International Fashion School Berlin and eBay Fashion that had emerging designers from all over East Africa submitting their work for an international image, distribution and access to the European markets and a chance to win the grand prize of showing a collection at Vogue Salon during the Berlin Fashion Week.

CELEBRATING AFRICAN FSHION

Brand heavy weight Unilever also participated in industry development by hiring designers Ogake Mosomi of Ogake and Wambui Kibue of Angelsmile to create a special collection (a previously completely unheard of concept) for their ignite the spark cocktail when it re-launched Lux in Kenya.)

With an increase in consumers comes the need for consumer education. Diana Opoti run a campaign called #100DaysOfAfricanFashion that featured various African Designers.

The goal, to celebrate African fashion and introduce a wide array of designers to the public. Goal definitely achieved.

Big name brand MAC launched in Kenya! An outfit is sometimes not complete without great make up; bold red lips anyone? Recent years have shown make-up plays a seemingly larger role in fashion leaning slightly towards an accessory.

BEAUTIFUL WOMAN

Lastly, the ever rising star that is Lupita Nyong’o brought the worlds focus to Kenya in a much needed positive way. The young starlet started her year by winning numerous awards the most important of which was the Academy Award.

A regular on red carpet best dressed lists, she called the deep V-neck gown she wore to the Oscars “Nairobi blue” resulting in collective cheers across the country.

The academy award winner was featured in numerous magazines including her first Vogue cover, was declared People Magazine’s most beautiful woman of the year and became the face of Lancôme proving to young girls everywhere that your dreams really are valid!

Happy holidays beautiful people!

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