Three Kenyan designers to showcase at Africa Fashion Week London 2025

Three Kenyan fashion brands are set to represent the country at Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2025, scheduled for August 9–10 at Space House, London.

Jamie Bryan Kimani, founder of Sevaria, Sharon Wendo of Epica Jewellery, and Kevin Abwova of Kisero Nairobi will take to one of the world’s most prestigious runways under the auspices of the British Council.

The event will feature a dedicated British Council catwalk presentation and an exhibition pavilion spotlighting some of Africa’s most innovative emerging designers.

The initiative aims to connect designers with international markets while fostering cross-cultural collaboration and business growth.

The Kenyan showcase is part of the British Council UK/Kenya Season 2025, a bilateral cultural programme celebrating creativity through arts, culture, and education in both countries.

They will join seven other designers from Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, all of whom are alumni or current participants in Creative DNA – the British Council’s fashion accelerator that has supported over 200 entrepreneurs across Africa since 2020.

The programme promotes sustainable creative enterprise, economic inclusion, and international connections between Africa and the UK.

“It’s great to see our Creative DNA designers taking part in Africa Fashion Week London through the UK Kenya Season 2025. This is not just about showcasing Kenyan talent. It is also an opportunity for the UK to learn from diverse approaches, ideas, and ways of working. Such exchanges are what make cultural collaboration meaningful,” said Sandra Chege, Season Director, British Council, UK/Kenya Season 2025.

Kimani’s Sevaria, founded in 2018, draws inspiration from his upbringing in Kiserian, with designs reflecting garments worn by the Maasai and sub-religious groups such as the Akorino. His work also challenges gender stereotypes.

Kisero, founded by Kevin and his father Abwova in 2020, produces handcrafted leather bags, shoes, and accessories blending African heritage with global elegance. It has grown from a shoe-repair workshop into a luxury brand collaborating with international labels and empowering local artisans.

Wendo’s Epica, launched in 2018, celebrates African cultures through wearable art, with each piece handcrafted to reflect diverse traditions and aesthetics.

Aside from the runway and exhibition, the designers will tour UK retail stockists and manufacturers to learn about ethical production, global fashion standards, and the international retail market.

This year’s British Council Pavilion will also highlight the future of fashion by featuring collaborations between African designers, fashion weeks, and Ethiopia’s Guzo Technologies to explore AI-driven storytelling, virtual reality runways, and digital avatars.

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.”

Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, Founder of Africa Fashion Week London, added: “This partnership with the British Council represents a bold step forward in our mission to elevate African fashion on the global stage. 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.”