The beauty of Kenya

Top – Kooroo, Trousers – La Lesso, Turban/ Scarf – Mille Collines, Necklaces – Kazuri Beads, Assorted bracelets – Masai
Market & Stylist’s own

Last year whilst on a short trip to Kenya, I managed to collaborate with an old and very dear friend. Last week this story was picked up and featured by Kaltbult Magazine !

To tell you a bit about the shoot.. we wanted to shoot a fashion story using ethically conscious designer labels and as a child of Africa myself I wanted to take the opportunity to showcase the emerging fashion labels from my home continent. 

We used these 4 designers to pull each look together. Here's some more information about them should you want to check them out. 

The designer pair behind La Lesso for example instigated the start up of SOKO. SOKO is now an independent, charity based, eco and ethical clothing production unit that supports local talent and provides employment to Kenyans.

Kooroo  gives back through their Maua (Flowers) Corporate Social Responsibility program where they work to support the local schools in the Kibagari slums of Nairobi. The staff produces crocheted flowers that are used to make beautiful jewelry and accessories.  The proceeds from the sale of these goods provides an income for women in the slum and goes towards payment for the cost of education for their children in the slum.

To learn more about the people and the team of local people working behind Mille Collines  you have only to browse thorough their regularly updated blog.

And  finally Kazuri Beads is part of the World Fairtrade Organisation providing regular employment to women, usually single mothers from villages around Nairobi.

A big thank you goes to all the people involved making this shoot happen and here's a list of the credits -

Styling by Ilham Aboo and Bella Kotak
Makeup by Shahista Yusuf
Hair by Bella Kotak
Art Direction and Organisation by Ilham Aboo
Models are Karen Sugahara and Milkah Seifert

So here are the rest of the images from the shoot! I hope you enjoy them. Keep scrolling for some behind the scenes :)

Dress – La Lesso, Necklaces – Kazuri Beads, La Lesso, Masai market, Belt – Masai market, Rings – Mille Collines, Assorted bangles – Masai market and stylist’s own, Ankle accessories – Kazuri Beads

Milkah and Karen: Playsuit – La Lesso, Necklace used as headpiece – La Lesso, Metal Ring – Mille Collines, Necklace – Kazuri Beads, Bracelets & assorted scarves – Stylists own

Top – Mille Collines, Bottom – Mille Collines, Necklaces – Kazuri Beads & Masai market, Necklace used as hair accessory – La Lesso, Assorted bracelets – Kazuri Beads and Stylist’s own, Rings – Mille Collines

Top – Kooroo, Bottom – Mille Collines, Necklaces – Kazuri Beads & Masai market, Necklace used as hair accessory – La Lesso, Assorted bracelets – Kazuri Beads, Masai market and Stylist’s own, Rings – Mille Collines

Shirt – Mille Collines, Short – Mille Collines, Belt – La Lesso, Shoes – stylist’s own, Necklace as headpiece – Topshop, Ring -Kooroo

Dress – La Lesso, Necklaces – Kazuri Beads, La Lesso, Masai market, Belt – Masai market, Rings – Mille Collines, Assorted bangles – Masai market and stylist’s own, Ankle accessories – Kazuri Beads

Top – Kooroo, Trousers – La Lesso, Turban/ Scarf – Mille Collines, Necklaces – Kazuri Beads, Assorted bracelets – Masai Market & Stylist’s own, Shoes – stylist’s own

Milkah and Karen: Playsuit – La Lesso, Necklace used as headpiece – La Lesso, Metal Ring – Mille Collines, Necklace – Kazuri Beads, Bracelets & assorted scarves – Stylists own

Playsuit – La Lesso, Necklace used as headpiece – La Lesso, Metal Ring – Mille Collines, Necklace – Kazuri Beads, Bracelets & assorted scarves – Stylists own

Milkah: Playsuit - Mille Collines, Headwear - La Lesso, Assorted bracelets - Kazuri Beads, Masai market and Stylist's own

Karen: Playsuit - Stylist's own, Necklaces - La Lesso & Kazuri Beads, Headwear and Assorted Bracelets - Masai Market & Stylist's own, Ring - Mille Collines

The fashion shoot would not have come together without the awesomeness that is Ilham Aboo. Check out her work here.

Together we sourced the garments and styled each look. The models were friends of hers and I was very happy with the looks of both girls feeling that they complimented each other very well. Karen, is half Japanese and half Kenyan and I loved that both girls represented the multi-cultural nature of Kenya.

The location we used actually was a small homestead close to Ilham's house. We knew we wanted a rustic homey setting complete with children, chickens and little dogs and we were lucky that Ilham knew the people living in a nearby homestead that was absolutely ideal for the shoot. In true Kenyan style they were incredibly hospitable, charming and happy to open up their home to us. During the two days of the shoot, between looks I would take shots of the children and family together and a week later to show our appreciation we put together a thank you package with the printed photos and food. Watching the faces of the children laughing and teasing each other over the images will stay with me forever. For something that comes so easily to me and for it to provide that much joy is a humbling experience.

I hope you enjoy the images and coming up in the next post is the magic that was Flo and Steffi's wedding in Germany!