AFAD: Creating wardrobes for beauty queens
A velvet leopard corset top paired with a Victorian ball gown skirt with three layers of tulle and a complex mix of yellow corset with zebra print paired with a mermaid skirt with a bow and a pleated chiffon apron by Sally Karago. PHOTO | CHARLES KAMAU
What you need to know:
- AFAD, a non-profit organisation was founded on the premise of promoting, nurturing and representing the best of fashion design in Kenya.
- Borderline couture, pageantry wear is a little too extravagant for an everyday look. But inherent is the potential to inspire the creation of something extraordinary.
When the curtains fall on the 50th edition of the Miss World Kenya, all eyes will be on the girls representing their counties.
Also on show will be the work of Kenya’s designers who are playing fairy godmother to these Cinderellas at their moment of destiny.
The Association of Fashion Designers Kenya (AFAD) will reprise this role that they have played for the past four years in their partnership with the pageant.
They will seek to transform the ordinary jeans-wearing girl-next-door into a queen by outfitting each of them with a killer get-up that will bolster their confidence and bring out their inner beauty.
A green outfit with a lace insert (left) and a batik outfit with assymetrical hemline and satin tail. The dress has crotchet applique details for added texture by Sally Karago. PHOTO | CHARLES KAMAU
AFAD, a non-profit organisation was founded on the premise of promoting, nurturing and representing the best of fashion design in Kenya.
It represents professional interests of the Kenyan design community, creating a meaningful interface between design professionals and users of fashion.
For their evening and African wear categories, AFAD offered creations by Sally Karago, one on the pioneers of Kenya’s fashion and Peggy O of Peon glamour.
Strapless jumpsuit and corset dress with zebra print skirt by Peggy O. PHOTO | CHARLES KAMAU
WORK OF ART
Peggy is a fashion designer and trained at Woodgrove Kenya and Kalawin international in Bangkok. She has an art of fashion drapery and a signature style of crochet that she uses to ensemble her unique creativity.
Her passion for pattern making has made her a brand name in the wedding industry.
In luxurious fabrics, the designer’s creativity is evident in the evening and ball gowns that are as Victorian as they are African.
Featuring a fusion of animal print, kitenge, kikoy and batik fabric with luxurious velvets, taffeta and tulle, the outfits are a work of art that is feast for the eyes.
Creations by Sally Karago. PHOTO | CHARLES KAMAU
The African look is further augmented by Maasai beading and shell details to create a 3-D effect.
Black halter neck dress with sheer panels with Maasai beading (left) and shells (right) by Sally Karago. PHOTO | CHARLES KAMAU
The trendy gowns interpret the cropped top look in the corset tops that bring a novel way to glamorously wear separates.
A black and red with a high ruffled collar dress (left) and a black apron two piece outfit with kikoy binding details by Peggy. PHOTO | CHARLES KAMAU
Thigh high-slits on the long gowns also present a classy way to show some leg.
Borderline couture, pageantry wear is a little too extravagant for an everyday look. But inherent is the potential to inspire the creation of something extraordinary.
Here are some looks that the beauty queens wore to a meeting with the press.
