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About Us

The Kibera Fashion Week is not your typical fashion week, but comprises a year-long programme to fundamentally change the power dynamics and narratives in the fashion industry, labelling itself a fashion week with the ambition to reinvent the format.

Showcasing the talent of creatives from Kibera and sharing their insights with audiences in Kenya and the EU, the project wants to build a new ethical and sustainable fashion industry. Rooting this project in Kibera confronts the neo-colonial realities of the fashion industry by learning from a community that is faced with the abundance of textile waste exported by European countries and creating a new dialogue around the consequences of unsustainable consumption. Through this dialogue a movement can start of change, impacting both consumers and designers in Kenya and abroad by respecting the skills and insights of local communities.

While Kibera is often portrayed as a place of hopelessness in need of help and so-called “development aid”, it is in fact a diverse metropolis, booming with creativity and constantly evolving and innovating. The project firmly believes that the world can learn a lot from the people of Kibera and that they possess the skills to become pioneers in a sustainable and ethical creative industry. Kibera Fashion Week will become a platform for the community to redefine fashion, share new methods for sustainability and bring together stakeholders from around the world to challenge unethical and exploitative consumption.

The project is initiated by David Avido (Lookslike Avido / Avido Foundation) in collaboration with Goethe-Institut, Nairobi Design Week, Maasai Mbili and EUNIC Kenya. The project is funded as part of the European Spaces of Culture.

Our 2022 Figure Impact

Paid Creatives

50+

Attending in person and Livestreaming

1000+

Families Impacted

200+

Soci-Economic Impact

Positive

Meet The Team

We're a fun team based in Kibera, we love people and talent and sustainability is our language.

“The U in team stands for us!”

Jessy LesleyCommunication & Digital

Partners

- Avido Foundation

David

David Avido is a self-taught fashion designer, Community organizer and entrepreneur born and raised in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya.

While most know Kibera as the largest slum in Africa, David wants to go beyond this declaration and share more about his community, because he believes things of beauty come from places least expected.

He is often asked what is fashion? To him, fashion is a tool of expression that allows him to portray his personality and tell stories from his community, not only through the clothes he wears and creates for others but also through the things he cares about and discusses. Talking to people about social issues and giving them hope and joy is what fashion helps him to do. Fashion is a vehicle for David to make a social impact in Kibera.

As soon as he established his brand in 2018, David was noticed and invited to be an ambassador for BLAZE, a sub-brand of Safaricom, which celebrates youth and their passion for finding success in unconventional careers. In 2019 he joined Berlin Fashion Week as a participant.

He has designed and made clothes for artists like Bruno Mars, Ty Dolla Sign, Don Carlos, Koffee, Christopher Martin, Alaine, Cecile, Megaloh, D Major, Buju Banton, Romain Virgo, Chronixx, Future Fambo, Agent Sasco, Duane Stephenson, Da’Ville, and so many more. David’s work has been featured in Vogue USA, Vogue Italia and Essence magazines and his journey has been filmed and shared with the world by Al Jazeera, BBC, CNN, National Geography and others.

In 2020 Beyonce highlighted him on her “Black is King” campaign, as one of the African artists changing the world. In 2021 Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta honored his efforts with the Role of Honor in making and distributing over 28,000 free face masks in Nairobi during the Coronavirus pandemic. Currently he is the face of Keringet mineral water, a Coca-Cola brand.

In 2021 David founded an NGO called Avido Foundation, focusing on training and developing sewing skills for deaf women, young mothers and youth who are passionate about a career in fashion. He also helps kids by supporting their school tuition and has sewn hundreds of uniforms to boost their self-esteem.

David’s love for fashion doesn’t only revolve around creating beautiful clothes. As an artist, his goal is to foster self-reliance for the youth and women in Kibera and build awareness about the artistic and creative aspects of the slum. He wants to use his skills to inspire and engage young people in Kenya and across Africa.

- Goethe Institut

Niklas

The Goethe-Institut is the Federal Republic of Germany’s cultural institute, active worldwide. We promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange.

- Nairobi Design Week

Adrian

Since 2015, Nairobi Design Week has been a constant in the local and global design calendar. Our vibrant community welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

Nairobi’s status as a global design city allows us to showcase design through exceptional, unconventional experiences.

We embrace inter-disciplinary values and methodologies to work on projects throughout the year that culminate in an annual celebration of design’s past, present and future.

- Maasai Mbili

Kevin & Gomba

Maasai Mbili (M2) (3) was founded in 2001 by Otieno Gomba and Otieno Kota. The pair began by selling novel hand-painted signs along Kibera drive, before acquiring a permanent site in 2003.

This became the M2 Art-centre; serving as a studio cum gallery and a juncture for many creatives and artists in the area. The M2 Art-centre was a pioneering visual art space in Kibera; initiating opportunities for participation, collaboration, teaching and socialisation – as well as providing a space to work. Today there are approximately 20 members.

Painting is at the heart of M2’s artistic practice – some artists continue sign-writing. However M2 also venture into community outreach projects, conceptual work, fashion, film, mixed media, music, photography and sculpture. The work they create, along with the artists, traverse local, national and global art worlds.

Staff

Communications & Digital

Jessy

I am Jessy,  I love Technology and Creativity.  I handle Communications and Digital.

Please say Hi and Smile the next time you see me at Kibera Fashion Week.

Project Cordinator

Diana

With a passion for fashion and a dedication to empowering local talent, Miss Diana Muiruri plays a big role in the program planning and event management throughout the project duration. She brings on board experience in project management, events planning, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the Kibera community.

As the coordinator, her role involves collaborating with designers, models, volunteers, and other stakeholders to ensure a seamless and impactful project. With a keen eye for detail and excellent organizational skills, Miss Diana meticulously plans and executes every aspect of the event working closely with the team to curate a diverse and inclusive fashion showcase that celebrates local talent while providing a platform for emerging designers.

Throughout the project timeline, Miss Diana remains a reliable point of contact for all stakeholders, addressing any concerns or issues that may arise, and ensuring a positive and memorable experience for everyone involved. Her dedication and passion for showcasing the unique fashion talents within Kibera inspire the team and help make Kibera Fashion Week a resounding success.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration from the United States International University, Africa. She enjoys traveling, photography, and painting.

Community Lead

Maurice

Maurice holds a diploma in community development and social work, growing up in Kibera made him realize there’s more one can do for his community, and this is why he choose this course. I have learned life lessons through the experience of my close friends and noticed that the goal is always to leave a place better than how one found it.

“It brings joy and happiness to see the impact I passionately make to my community, for me it’s not all about what you have but the little you can share with those who look up to you.”

Maurice has worked with different people in and outside Kibera which has given him experience working with children, youths, young mothers, persons with disabilities, and the elderly in marginalized communities.

Design Lead

Charles

Life is all about moments being part of the community I have not only seen but also been part of a lot of crucial moments that have not only shaped me into becoming better but also become more attached and grown more in touch with the community.

My dream and goal are to make the community better through the little things I do and make more memorable moments with the people around me, they say “it takes a village to raise a kid” The goal is to make it better and easier for the kid to be raised in this beautiful community of ours.

Lead Videographer

Kelvin

Kelvin Juma is a freelance Documentary Photographer and a visual storyteller based in Nairobi. Passionate about photography and he is keen to document African stories surrounding socio-economic culture, development/impact, and daily life issues of individuals and communities.

Office Manager

Evance

Evance is one of the greatest Assets in our day-to-day life, currently student pursuing electrical engineering, born and raised in Kibera.

He grew up socializing with people who love electricity and that made him do what he does, But being part of the fashion industry in Kenya and Kibera came with a heart of love and creating smiles by Befriending himself with designers and artists.

“Working with other people can make you learn new things and earn from different activities that you didn’t study as a career subject”,

that’s the joy of it. And the goal is never to stop, you learn from each opportunity you get every time.

Strategic Partners 2023