LOCAL FASHION PRODUCTS MUST -HAVES

LOCAL FASHION PRODUCTS MUST -HAVES

BY EMBUKANE VINCENT LIBOSSO.

FOR KENYA KIDZ.

I bet you have been to an event or even in town and admired a stranger in a locally made outfit; kitenge designed shoe or custom made Maasai cloth blazer.

Well, it is now time to get geared up to match the vibe; with a range of Nairobi’s new, fresh, chic and unique local fashion products.

The feel and beauty of the sunny Nairobi seems to be directed by the fashion conscious who want our beloved city under the sun to rise to the level of Cape Town; Lagos or even Milan, Paris- the true home and city of fashion.

A small fashion production house SOKO Kenya, got associated with one of the most powerful women in the world- Michelle Obama. In July 2011; Mrs. Obama was photographed wearing an ASOS Africa collection item manufactured by SOKO Kenya.

This goes to show the potential of our local designers and how when given the local support; they can go places. On my different shopping spree researches; here are some of the chic and trendy Kenyan items that caught my eye.

THE KENYAN NDULA

“The Nairobi fashion scene has become a hustling fad designed (pun intended) to extort money out of a populace that wants to look good. If we want our beloved Nairobi to rise to the level of Cape Town or Lagos; then we as consumers have to demand better”, those are the passionate words of Nigel Mwaura; a fashion enthusiast; blogger and stylist.

So, we all love it when a young and hype designer brings in a fresh feel in the fashion world.

The name “ndula” is Sheng for shoe. The inspiration for KenyanNdula came from the desire to promote local fashion; taking the everyday loafer or brogue; to create a unique edge that is stylish.

The touch is unique. It has a traditional feel and that local “mtaani” (hood) touch; while still oozing a contemporary urban touch.

This fashion fad comes with a variety of comfort shoes ranging from the traditional kitenge; Maasai cloth; leather and more fun colorful and locally inspired fabrics.

Plus; their recently launched Fashion for Peace collection will leave you speechless and we bet will be big this year.

The pieces are unisex, which makes it even a more plus! Pair these up with your everyday casual wear; your pair of slacks; jeans or even maxi dress, for the ladies and you are good to go.

KenyanNdula is for the fashion conscious since they are comfortable; easy to wear and very trendy.

-for orders, visit Facebook page: kenyanNdula.

JIAMINI/ OTENGE

Looking for a one-stop shop for authentic and exceptional Kenyan adornment? Then Jiamini is your place. Ranging from rings and earrings to neck and hand pieces.

These are made using brass, beads or animal horns that are inspired by the ancient Ethiopian and Touareg communities.

These products are certainly for the afro-divas; with pieces ranging from KES 5,000-25,000.

Looking to add spruce to your look using urban kitenge accessories? Then try Otenge for accessorized earrings and ribbons. This unique range of products goes for less than KES 1,000.

-To get in touch, visit Facebook page: Jiamini.

-otenge products are available for sale at the Banana Box company stores, Sarit Centre. Or find them on Facebook page: Otenge.

AFRO SLIPPERS/ MORAN APPAREL.

Unisex shoes seem to be the new funky trend in Nairobi. Made of Ankara, with either leso prints or velvet; they are suitable for high fashion events, everyday fashion wear, theme parties or those days you wish to have heads turning as you make a fashion statement.

Moran Apparel’s shoes come with laces and both shoes cost between KES 2,000 and 6,000.

-for more details, check Facebook page: Afros (African slippers).

-twitter: @Moran Apparel.

MANCINY

Their latest collection dubbed “Urban Gentlemen” comprise mostly of warm colored laced coats. Ladies can purchase Manciny kiondos and clutch bags made from recycled papers and VHS tapes.

The customized male coats are made from soft khaki fused in batik or Ankara with fancy inside pockets.

Coats cost between KES 6,500 and 7,500; while clutch bags/ kiondos go for between KES 500 and 3,500.

-for more of Manciny-www.manciny.kbo.co.ke.

CHILLI MANGO

Their big retro-shades print and funky warm-colored tees with distinctive asymmetrical designs do make these cool tees worth an ideal buy. They come in sizes for both ladies and gents with quirky prints such as maize combs.

Tees go for KES 1,200.  Also check out Chilli Mango’s warm hoodies partly made of leso/ khanga prints costing between KES 4,500 and 6,000.

-to get in touch with Chilli Mango, email chillimangodesigns@gmail.com.

MARIDADI

Maridadi.co.ke and totallytumba.com together form the franchise “Maridadi”, online stores that sell affordable Italian and French haute couture fashion.

They also sell excellent vintage high street fashions, unique jeweler, sleep wear and beachwear. Jeweler ranges from KES 700 while beachwear (bikinis, tankins and full swim suits) retail at KES 3,500

Established way back in 2010 by four sisters; in 2012, Maridadi acquired a physical store located in Highridge; opposite Diamond Plaza, first floor, shop 6.

They deliver to your doorstep at a minimal cost of only KES 250 anywhere in Nairobi, within 24 hours.

-For more inquiries, call Mary- 0715 248 305 or email info@maridadi.co.ke

I have a deep passion for the fashion industry. I am nobody special but I do what I do that the Nairobi fashion scene must be saved by the concerted efforts of all those involved; new and old players.

We can only talk about growth after we’ve dealt with quality control and Kenyans are buying locally produced world class standards goods.

-additional insights from Nigel Mwaura and Anyiko Owoko both of Nairobi’s Urban Perspective (UP) magazine Kenya.

THE ALBUM-PAINTING ISINYA JESUS

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Leo-22-Photography-and-Videography/440804702663573?ref=tn_tnmn

ON SUNDAY 26TH FEBRUARY, DAYSTAR CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP (D.C.F) HELD A MISSION TO MOI GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL ISINYA- A DAY OFF HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT. I WAS PART OF THIS GREAT TEAM AND HERE ARE SOME OF THE DAY'S KODAK MOMENTS. 

CAMERA USED-SAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERA.........

DO CHECK OUT OUR PAGE-http://www.facebook.com/groups/190624754315680/?fref=ts

THE RENAISSANCE OF TVS IN KENYA; FROM ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL

The other day I had an interesting discussion with my dad over what the future holds when Kenya moves to a digital platform in terms of TV-broadcasting. Those of us who are young, for a reason find the electronic world a bit easy. I guess that is why for some of us like me, we manage to operate a new device head on before even going through the manual.

But digital TVs will very soon be creating waves and buzz throughout Kenya, offering more than 700 channels on high definition TVs that are set to make family entertainment and family television time more luxurious for the viewers.

What does this mean then to the local broadcasting industry? Well, on the benefit side, the shift to digital TV is expected to cause substantial growth in this industry; with existing broadcasters providing a far wider variety of fresh, local and entertaining programmes.

Currently, every to station in Kenya distributes its own analogue signal, at considerable costs. With the roll-out of digital TV, stations will pay far less for distributing their programmes.

It is hoped this will give producers of local movies, drama, sports, news and documentaries the opportunity and funds to develop content, and in the process, create more jobs for the emerging film and TV industry. This growth will be even propelled faster if the government’s intention of passing a 40 per cent local content law comes to pass.

The digital platform will also allow viewers to receive multiple programmes on the same channel, with broadcasters being able to air up to 10 programmes simultaneously on one frequency.

So the big question I bet on your mind right now is where are in terms so this big switch? Well, the deadline to replace analogue TV with with digital broadcasting was way back in 2012. This would have means that had we made the switch last year, then Kenya would be second to South Africa on the continent.

A 21-inch plasma TV currently retails for around ksh.30, 000. The new digital TVs will cost just a few thousands more, according to Samsung. However, TV owners don’t need to invest in a new TV to receive the new digital signals. They can instead invest in a set to- box (government recommended DUB-T2 converters); which converts analogue to digital. These are already in the market countrywide; selling roughly at around ksh.4500.

read this piece here-http://www.kenyakidz.com/new/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=808:the-renaissance-of-tvs-in-kenya-from-analogue-to-digital&catid=22:our-kenya&Itemid=140

ONCE AGAIN; KENYA FINDS HERSELF AT THAT POINT-THE TEST OF NATIONHOOD

Receive greetings from the son of the oracles. For now, congratulations Your Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta; fourth president-elect of the Republic of Kenya. I came across a great piece online by a concerned matatu tout who is an ardent supporter of your nemesis who is in court over the election debacle. If he cared my opinion, I would advise him and all Kenyans to read that matatu tout’s piece on “we move forward” (donda254.wordpress.com). The biggest mistake we can make as Kenyans is to rubbish him off and disregard him as a mere stakeholder in the matatu industry.
Today I stand before you as a son of the soil and a s a Kenyan youth who has grown up knowing not my people’s language but 3 languages common to many of my generation- Swahili; English and what bonds my generation-“sheng.”

I am here for all those voices which cannot be heard- mothers, daughters, fathers and sons; some of whom have grown up knowing no other language apart from the 3 mentioned earlier.
Anyway, as I was saying. You have a tall order especially to those like me who did not vote for you sir and that order is to make all of us feel like we belong to you and that you belong to us.
It is time to win Kenya over; not just for the preservation of ourselves, but of our children and the generations that will follow. For the preservation of liberty, reason, law and order; but most importantly for hope.


Those who think “we lost” are deeply hurting sir. They feel their decision has been wasted to the pages of history. But their courage indeed bonds us together. That Kenya is made stronger by their actions and that their choices today reflect their bravery to exercise their democratic right by voting.


These pages need no history lessons Mr. President. The curse of uniting Kenyans has haunted every president that has set his eyes on the house on the hill. Mzee Jomo himself filed this test badly. Mzee Moi did not do well; either. Before I am reminded; I have to remind you that was why KANU was vanquished in 2002 General elections.


As for Baba Jimmy; the test of Nationhood has been a total disaster. It derogates all the other good things he did.


The son of the oracles expects that you will enumerate the lessons you want to leave. Rule of law. Honor. Duty. Glory. And that you will not play with the memoirs of this sacred country.
Whether we like or not, how we handle ethnicity today, at this very moment, will determine the level of faith Kenyans will have in your government and in the new constitution.


Kenya is bigger than any of us. Kenyans are watching you Mr. President, especially with regard to how you handle the little matter of the kitchen cabinet. After all, isn’t tribal balancing what presidents always do, even as they reserve the prizy portfolios for their people?


Your Excellency, for me and a legion more, we watch with our pen and paper in hand. At any rate, even royal ears ought to accept to listen, even to lips they do not like. But even if they will not listen, they must still be told.


Finally, what will change or break Kenya are the little things we do. Your Excellency, you can choose to ignore the sentiments of the people that glide before your eyes every day and end up making us a ragtag of mutually hostile war like tribes that bay each other’s blood. The problem is for my generation we have no tribe loyalty.

Or you can be a penchant that makes us one thriving and united proud nation. The choice I would say is yours! And so may the good God help you.


The son of the oracles will keep you company throughout sir. So, keep your eyes open to my letters. And as you take that bold step to unite Kenyans, probably what Sun Tzu said in his book “The art of war” will be a nice place to start;


“Regard your soldiers as your children and they will follow you unto the deepest valleys. Look at them as your won beloved sons; and they will stand by you even unto death.”
Cheers!

-by Embukane Vincent Libosso; communication student at Daystar University and blogger at Africa’s Hangout blog.

this story was picked up by african press international-http://africanpress.me/2013/03/18/kenyans-the-test-of-nationhood-congratulating-president-elect-hon-kenyatta/