Kariobangi Fashion

For every designer, finding a perfect model to wear your clothes is key to getting your clothes sold. This is because clothes get their life from the person wearing them. For the following designers, Kariobangi Women Promotion Training Institute (KWPTI) and Ponchos Wanayran had their turn to show the world their colorful, African-themed designs.

The fashion show dubbed Kariobangi Fashion held at PointZero Coffee incorporated photography exhibition, art exhibition, and Coffee tasting. Some hours before models in their colorful and flawlessly matched attires walked on the brightly decorated lane for Kariobangi Fashion, Signature Chamber Chorus entertained the audience with perfectly arranged notes and sweet classic melodies.

 

Signature Chamber Chorus entertaining guest during Kariobangi Fashion.

The main designer of the day is Kariobangi Women Promotion Training Institute. A non-profit-oriented training school situated in Kariobangi North, Nairobi, Kenya. Since 1992, Comboni Missionary Sisters have been running KWPTI.

KWPTI offers young ladies in Kariobangi slums a possibility to access education by offering holistic training in; Catering, Hairdressing & Beauty, and Dressmaking Grade III & II. Among these youth are young women who easily get manipulated for implementing unfruitful activities that not only affect their dignity but also foster insecurity.

Wanayran Alvarez Angerer, the event organizer had the following to say about KWPTI, “Comboni Missionary Sisters have made these young designers feel beautiful, with a can-do attitude the girls have learnt not to look at where they come from or who they are but to focus on the bright future.”

A child from Top Kids International Modeling Academy, during Kariobangi Fashion.

In addition to the training, women receive spiritual and human formation to instill positive values and attitudes that help them cope with the labor market. Counseling is part of the program to help women discover and liberate their potential while they reconcile with their past.

Talking to Fred Karuki, a photographer vendor at Kariobangi Fashion, about this event, he had this to say; “This is a great event. The designers have done an excellent job. I am glad we get to show the world what we can do. As a photographer, I am inspired by Africa, telling the story of Africa as I understand it. I want to change the narrative of Africa.”

Fred Kariuki with his photo at Kariobangi Fashion.