British Council Showcases Kenyan Fashion Talent on Global Stage at AFWL 2025

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NAIROBI, Kenya – Three Kenyan design houses took to the runway at Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2025, held at Space House in London, gaining access to new markets, international exposure, and opportunities for cross-cultural learning, collaboration, and business growth.

Representing Kenya’s fashion and design industry were Jamie Bryan Kimani of Sevaria, Sharon Wendo of Epica Jewellery, and Kevin Abwova of Kisero Nairobi. Their participation, supported by the British Council, aimed to champion sustainable growth for emerging designers and accelerate the creative economy.

They joined seven designers from Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe—all alumni or current participants of Creative DNA, the British Council’s fashion accelerator programme, which has supported over 200 entrepreneurs across Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Nigeria since 2020. The programme promotes sustainable creative enterprise, economic inclusion, and international connections between Africa and the UK.

In addition to the runway and exhibition, the designers took part in UK retail stockist and manufacturing tours, gaining first-hand insights into ethical production, global fashion standards, and the dynamics of the international retail market. This cultural exchange offered a rare opportunity to explore the UK’s fashion ecosystem, including supplier networks, sustainability models, and retail partnerships.

The Kenyan delegation was featured under the British Council UK/Kenya Season 2025, a bilateral cultural programme celebrating creativity through arts, culture, and education in both countries.

“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,” said Tom Porter, Country Director, British Council Kenya. “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.”

Farai Ncube Tarwireyi, Regional Arts Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, British Council, added:

“Africa’s fashion industry holds immense potential, with estimates suggesting it could generate over $15 billion in revenue by 2025 and create millions of jobs. But to unlock that potential, emerging designers need market access, visibility, and global networks. Africa Fashion Week London offers exactly that. Through our Creative DNA programme, we are proud to support a new generation of fashion entrepreneurs as they connect with international audiences, explore opportunities, and shape the future of fashion on their own terms.”

Designer Profiles

• Sevaria (Jamie Bryan Kimani) – Founded in 2018, inspired by Kimani’s upbringing in Kiserian, Rift Valley. His work draws from Maasai attire and Akorino religious garments, blending cultural heritage with a bold challenge to gender stereotypes.
• Kisero Nairobi (Kevin Abwova) – Co-founded with his father in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kisero produces handcrafted luxury leather bags, shoes, and accessories. The brand merges African heritage with contemporary elegance and has grown from a shoe-repair shop into a global luxury label.
• Epica Jewellery (Sharon Wendo) – Established in 2018, Epica celebrates Africa’s cultural diversity through wearable art. Each handcrafted piece reflects the traditions, symbols, and aesthetics of different African communities.

This year’s British Council Pavilion looked ahead to the future of fashion, spotlighting the intersection of fashion and technology. It featured collaborations between African designers and AI labs, as well as robotics engineers from Ethiopia’s Guzo Technologies, exploring tech-enabled storytelling and virtual reality runways with digital avatars—paving the way for cross-continental virtual fashion showcases.

This initiative reflects the British Council’s ongoing commitment to placing creativity, cultural exchange, and enterprise at the centre of inclusive and sustainable growth across Africa and the UK.

“This partnership with the British Council represents a bold step forward in our mission to elevate African fashion on the global stage,” said Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, Founder of Africa Fashion Week London. “By showcasing these visionary designers in London, we’re not only celebrating their talents but also forging deeper cross-cultural connections within the global fashion ecosystem.”

Creative DNA Designers at AFWL 2025

• Kisero Leather, Kenya – @kisero_nairobi
• Epica Jewellery, Kenya – @epicajewellery
• Sevaria, Kenya – @sevaria.ke
• Ometsey, Ghana – @ometseyofficial
• Henri Uduku, Nigeria – @henriuduku
• Black, Fine & Fly, Nigeria – @bfandf
• Runganor, Zimbabwe – @runganorwedu
• Dagmawit, Ethiopia – @dagmawitfashion
• Shwanda Kollection, Uganda – @shwanda_kollection
• Guzo Technologies, Ethiopia – @guzotech

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