<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWanFamClothingKE" target="_blank" target="_blank">Wan Fam Clothing</a> is transforming traditional wear into urban chic.
Wan Fam Clothing is transforming traditional wear into urban chic.
Courtesy Wan Fam Clothing
Borrowing from Maasai culture, the Nairobi-based brand combines shuka, a Maasai fabric normally wrapped around the body, with contemporary designs. In doing so, their products both pay homage to tradition whilst highlighting the trends of modern Kenya. The brand sells around 100 units a month. Bags go for $18, jackets $29, with Wan Fam saying they're able to make a good profit on each item.
Borrowing from Maasai culture, the Nairobi-based brand combines shuka, a Maasai fabric normally wrapped around the body, with contemporary designs. In doing so, their products both pay homage to tradition whilst highlighting the trends of modern Kenya. The brand sells around 100 units a month. Bags go for $18, jackets $29, with Wan Fam saying they're able to make a good profit on each item.
Courtesy Wan Fam Clothing
Wan Fam Clothing is just one of several African brands who are to focus on their own heritage for inspiration South African knitwear designer <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2014%2F04%2F10%2Fworld%2Fafrica%2Fchunky-knitwear-south-african-tribe%2F">Laduma Ngxokolo</a> creates clothes inspired by the aesthetics of the Xhosa community.
Wan Fam Clothing is just one of several African brands who are to focus on their own heritage for inspiration South African knitwear designer Laduma Ngxokolo creates clothes inspired by the aesthetics of the Xhosa community.
Courtesy Maxhosa/Neil Roberts
Inzuki Designs by <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2014%2F06%2F27%2Fbusiness%2Fsweet-but-fierce-inzuki-designs%2F">Teta Isibo</a> is a Kigali-based startup that specializes in jewelry, accessories and interior decor.
Inzuki Designs by Teta Isibo is a Kigali-based startup that specializes in jewelry, accessories and interior decor.
Courtesy Gael R. Vande Weghe
Brothers Jeff and Emmanuel Wanjala launched Wan Fam in 2009, capitalizing on the demand for locally-produced wares. Now is the time, they say, for African designers to start exploring their own heritage.
Brothers Jeff and Emmanuel Wanjala launched Wan Fam in 2009, capitalizing on the demand for locally-produced wares. Now is the time, they say, for African designers to start exploring their own heritage.
Courtesy Wan Fam clothing
One of their most successful collections, called 1963, commemorated 50 years of Kenyan independence. Over half of the stock was sold in a single weekend.
One of their most successful collections, called 1963, commemorated 50 years of Kenyan independence. Over half of the stock was sold in a single weekend.
Courtesy Wan Fam Clothing
Wan Fam is becoming so popular that piracy is becoming an issue. The way to counter the problem is maintaining the quality of the product, says Jeff Wanjala.
Wan Fam is becoming so popular that piracy is becoming an issue. The way to counter the problem is maintaining the quality of the product, says Jeff Wanjala.
Courtesy Wan Fam Clothing