NAIROBI FASHION WEEK 2026: SEASON 8

Dates: January 28-31, 2026

Location: Sarit Centre, Nairobi, Kenya

Theme: "Decarbonize"

Edition: Season 8

Founder/Creative Director:

Brian Kihindas

Established: 2013 

Photo Credit: MAISHA

Key Initiatives:

• Fashion Frontier Africa Incubator Programme (partnership with Cultrite)

• Focus on sustainability, slow fashion, circular design

DESIGNERS & BRANDS SHOWCASED

Kenyan Designers:

Sustainability :

1. Maisha by Nisria - Upcycled textiles, "ASILI" collection 

2. Studio Lola - Ethical atelier, minimalist knitwear, handcrafted work

3. VAST - Architectural cuts, West African handwoven textiles, artisanal focus

4. Molivian - Founded 2021, textile upcycling, patchwork construction

5. Rialto Fashion - Lucy Rao, founded 1998, Afro-fusion, bridal/cultural wear

Contemporary/Streetwear:

6. AfroStreet Kollections - Yvonne Odhiambo (Yvonne Afrostreets), 3rd appearance, street culture 

7. A Touch of Kenya 

8. Kitu Kidzo

Menswear: 

9. John Kaveke - Return to NFW, 20+ years in industry, heritage menswear

Lifestyle & Specialty: 

10. The MOYO Store - African prints, upcycled fabrics, organic linens 

11. Mohammed Bana - Vintage clothing specialist

International Designers:

1. Wanni Fuga (Nigeria) - Toluwani Wabara, NFW debut, refined minimalism

2. Naaniya (France/Mali) - Design collaboration

3. Yevana/Yevaàne (Sri Lanka/Kenya) - Cross-cultural design

4. Bizarre Savage Couture (Germany)

5. Aci Nod (USA)

KEY PROGRAMMING

Theme Focus: "Decarbonize" addressing fashion's role as second-largest carbon emitter globally, Kenya's position in second-hand clothing market, environmental accountability.

Event Components:

• Runway shows

• Panel discussions on sustainability and innovation

• Designer marketplaces

• Retail showcases

• Fitting Day (January 29) - Documented by photographer Daniel Kempf-Seifried

Official Coverage:

• Photographer: Daniel Kempf-Seifried

• Photography: Henry Naminde

SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS

Key Messaging:

• Fashion as second-largest global carbon emitter

• Kenya as key market for second-hand clothing imports

• African sustainable practices: local materials, upcycling, ethical labor

• Slow fashion, conscious production, intentional creativity

Designer Quotes:

• Brian Kihindas: "Fashion is the second emitter of global carbon emissions. We have to think about it critically."

• Lucy Rao: "Fashion is one of the biggest polluters of the planet. What better way to pass the message than using a platform like Nairobi Fashion Week."