Kibera is often portrayed as a place of poverty and need, but it’s also a dynamic, creative hub full of innovation and resilience.
We believe the world has a lot to learn from the people of Kibera, especially when it comes to building a more ethical, inclusive, and sustainable creative industry. Kibera Fashion Week is a platform to reimagine fashion from the ground up, spotlight local talent, and bring together global partners who are ready to challenge fast fashion and invest in long-term impact.
The 2023 edition of Kibera Fashion Week featured film screenings, panel discussions, and workshops that raised awareness about sustainable consumption and the local fashion industry. From over 470 applicants, 15 designers were selected to showcase their work and take part in peer-to-peer training and knowledge sharing.
The final showcase brought together 20 talented models, more than 100 original garments, and live performances by local artists, creating new opportunities for hairstylists, makeup artists, shoemakers, jewelry designers, and other creatives. The event drew over 5,000 attendees and received widespread media coverage.
Ultimately, the 2023 edition created over 200 job and volunteer opportunities, opened new doors for participating creatives, and helped shift perceptions about the need to include Kibera and similar communities in the global creative landscape.
Kibera Fashion Week 2022
The inaugural Kibera Fashion Week, held in November 2022 along a railway line that runs through the middle of Kibera, offered 5 emerging creatives a platform to showcase their work, access mentorship, and engage in capacity building. The event generated increased sales and leads for the participants, created over 50 job opportunities, and garnered media attention that began to shift the prevailing perceptions and narratives about the community.
Meet our Founder/Director
David Avido is a fashion designer, community organizer, and entrepreneur born and raised in Kibera. Finding inspiration from his community, he founded the fashion label Lookslike Avido in 2017.
He later created the Avido Foundation which focuses on training and mentorship for deaf women, young mothers, and youth who are passionate about a career in fashion. David launched Kibera Fashion Week in 2022 to empower local talent, celebrate the community’s creativity, and challenge stereotypes while promoting sustainable practices in the fashion industry.
“There is no barrier if you believe in your talent and take the next step. I want to encourage and create beauty, where people don’t expect it.”
– David Avido
The Dream Team
KFW Milestones
KFW Pop-Up Exhibition and Film Screening
Olympic Terminus, Kibera
Nov 2024
KFW 2023 Film World Premiere
Posner Center, Denver, USA
May 2024
Kibera Fashion Week 2023
Olympic Terminus, Kibera
Oct 2023
KFW 2023 Film Screening & Panel Discussion
Alliance Francaise, Nairobi
Oct 2023
KFW 2023 Exhibition
Goethe Institut, Nairobi
Oct 2023
KFW 2022 Film Screening
Cologne University, Germany
June 2023
KFW 2022 Film World Premiere
The Alchemist, Nairobi
May 2023
Kibera Fashion Week 2022
Railway Line, Kibera
Nov 2022
