This year marked a major milestone for us at Afro Styled Craft Centre. For the first time, we got an opportunity to showcase our craft on the runway at the 8th edition of the Kitenge Fashion Festival. What began as a humble journey backstage has grown into a full-circle moment, one stitched with pride, purpose and bold African style.
Last year, we were behind the scenes, volunteering to accessorize models. We brought our creativity to life through the small but significant touches – handmade jewelry, sandals, and accessories. We never imagined that just a year later, our work would command the runway spotlight.
Fast forward to this year: models graced the stage in classic black ensembles, made radiant by Afrostyled’s signature pieces. From handcrafted sandals to vibrant brass jewellery, leather belts and leather bags, our collection brought texture, culture, and trend together.
But the runway wasn’t our only stage.
We also took part in the Jambojet Sustainability Award; an experience that pushed our creative boundaries in the best way. The challenge? To turn aviation waste into innovative, travel inspired merchandise. We repurposed old airline staff uniform and leather seat covers to create items that aligned perfectly with Jambo jet’s brand colours and values.
What did we make?
A full eco-conscious travel set:
A sturdy travel bag
A sleek laptop sleeve
A practical passport holder
Branded name tags
Stylish keyholders
And a vibrant tote bag- all crafted with thought and purpose.
As if that wasn’t enough, we also presented a charming set for Kenya Airways. This included a breastfeeding cover, bib, and adorable crochet dolls. We tied it all together with an imaginative “airport lounge” story that captured the travel experience with a touch of warmth and whimsy.
Our hard work paid off!! We took home ‘1st place’. The award included a Ksh.100,000 cash order, training at the Fahari Innovation Hub (powered by KQ) and a return ticket to Zanzibar. Talk about flying high!
More than the accolades, what made this experience truly special was the community. The energy, the celebration of culture, and the chance to share our story with the world. This left us inspired and grateful.
As we look to the future, this is only the beginning. We’re excited for what lies ahead …more shows, more storytelling and more opportunities to elevate African craft on every runway we touch.
mozzarella says:
Amazing!!