On April 21st, 2023, Nairobi Fashion Week organized a unique afternoon event that combined fashion and art to promote their “JUST Fashion” initiative at Chez Sonia Restaurant in Nairobi. It was one for the books thanks to Little Art Gallery providing sublime visual designs, live music performances, and a five-designer catwalk with pieces from Deepa Dosaja, Inna Design, Kenya Nashipai Leather Brand, Normand Ayats and outstanding props from Maisha.
Amidst the beauty of “Chez Sonia” walls, they delved into a topic that calls for a fundamental shift in the way we think about fashion. A talk about sustainable fashion, moderated by Yvonne Ndege, was held at the event with a panel that included Katrin Aidnell (the Regional Environment and Climate Change expert), Bangalore Simidi (General Manager of Africa Collect Textiles) and Deepa Dosaja (a pioneer of Sustainable fashion). Subjects covered were the importance of creating a fair and eco-friendly fashion industry in Kenya; a shift away from the fast fashion that has become so pervasive and destructive to our planet.
They talked passionately about the need for a more ethical and sustainable approach to fashion and the importance of caring for our world, our people, and our clothing. They spoke of the need for conscious consumption, the power of supporting local businesses, and the long-term benefits of investing in quality, timeless pieces that can be worn for years. They discussed the importance of embracing natural materials and fibres and the need for us all to take responsibility for the environmental impact of our fashion choices.
It was an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation, and it left them all with a renewed sense of appreciation for the power of fashion to bring beauty and joy to our lives while respecting the environment and the people who make our clothes.
