Kenyan designers shine at Africa Fashion Week London 2025, showcasing sustainable style and global creativity

Designers Jamie Bryan Kimani, the founder of Sevaria, Sharon Wendo of Epica Jewellery, and Kevin Abwova of Kisero. [Courtesy]

Three Kenyan design houses showcased their designs at Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2025 at Space House, London providing the designers with  access to new markets and international exposure while also creating opportunities for cross-cultural learning, collaboration, and business growth.

Jamie Bryan Kimani, the founder of Sevaria, Sharon Wendo of Epica Jewellery, and Kevin Abwova of Kisero Nairobi represented Kenya’s fashion and design industry at one of the world’s most prestigious runways under the auspices of the British Council to champion sustainable growth for emerging designers in the and accelerate the creative economy.
 
They were joined by seven designers from Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, all of whom are alumni or current participants of Creative DNA, the British Council’s fashion accelerator that has supported over 200 entrepreneurs across Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Nigeria and Malawi since 2020. The programme fosters sustainable creative enterprise, economic inclusion, and international connections between Africa and the UK.

In addition to the runway and exhibition, the designers participated  in UK retail stockist and manufacturing tours, offering them direct insights into ethical production practices, global fashion standards, and the dynamics of the international retail market.

The cultural exchange component of the engagement provides designers a unique opportunity to explore the UK’s fashion ecosystem, encompassing supplier networks, sustainability models, and retail partnerships. 
 
The Kenyan cohort is presented as part of the British Council UK/Kenya Season 2025, a bilateral cultural programme celebrating creativity through arts, culture, and education in both the UK and Kenya.  

Tom Porter, Country Director, British Council Kenya, said, ‘The inclusion of our Creative DNA designers in Africa Fashion Week London, as part of the UK/Kenya Season 2025, highlights the strength of cultural collaboration between our two countries. This bilateral connection creates meaningful opportunities for Kenyan talent to engage globally, gain new perspectives, and build lasting networks. It’s a powerful example of how UK–Kenya partnerships can drive creative and economic impact across borders.’

Kimani, who founded Sevaria in 2018, draws inspiration from his upbringing in Kiserian, a town located in Kenya’s Rift Valley. His designs mirror the garments worn by the Maasai community and sub-religious groups such as the Akorino from Central Kenya. Kimani’s life experiences and his drive to challenge gender stereotypes also influence his designs.  
 
Kevin and his father, Abwova, founded Kisero in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This father-and-son luxury brand produces handcrafted, premium leather bags, shoes, and accessories that blend timeless African heritage with contemporary global elegance. From its humble beginnings as a shoe-repair workshop, Kisero has grown into a symbol of curated African luxury, collaborating with international brands, inspiring local artisans, and telling powerful stories through their work with leather.
 
Wendo founded Epica in 2018 after participating in a government entrepreneurship programme. Her brand celebrates the rich diversity of African cultures through wearable art. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted, paying homage to the diverse traditions, symbols, and aesthetics of various African cultures.
 

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