Monica Kanari @ Occasions & Days Limited |
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What is your background? I grew up surrounded by fabric; my mother was a seamstress and I used to watch her work. In 1995 I won a fashion competition to represent Kenya in South Africa. I was studying agriculture and home economics at the time and fashion was just a hobby, but that’s when I started taking it seriously and began working more closely with my mum to learn more. A few years later I went into fashion full-time as a bridal designer. I've been doing custom fashion ever since, but as my business has grown and my clientele have matured my work has shifted to focus more on occasion wear.
Who is your typical client? I have a mature clientele who are looking for a custom-made outfit for a special event or occasion, including weddings. I also work with corporate clients to make unique, fashionable uniforms for small hotels.
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Evening dress inside two rivers mall. Photography by Metzlab
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Evening dress at Sunbird Lodge Elemnetaita. Photography by Joseph Hunwick, Art Direction by Lara Ubago
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What 3 words would you use to describe your style/design work? My designs are elegant and formal. They are often inspired by the fabrics I use - I like to choose fabrics and work with them in different ways or work with unusual fabrics to make the designs unique. I work a lot with Kikoy fabric, add African ornaments to plain silk outfits and or create outfits with accents of African prints. More recently I’ve been working with leather. In the finishing and detailing I bring in texture by incorporating Kenyan brass ornaments, that’s one of my signatures. What are your ambitions? Last year I started working with leather and I want to develop a ready-to-wear collection using Kenyan leather. It is more common to find leather accessories, but not leather apparel. I’m working with a local tannery and learning how to work with the material for apparel. I’m also part of the Kenyan Fashion Council and one of our main goals is to develop a common manufacturing unit to support Kenyan designers and increase the production and competitiveness of Made in Kenya clothing. |
Black and yellow leather inside two rivers mall, Photography by Metzlab
What has been your biggest career achievement? Most people would not think of this as a great achievement, but we repeatedly hear that small business do not survive beyond 5 years. We have been at this for more than 17 years. We have also succeeded in being the solution for our clients who need something special for a very special occasion, in a special size, a treasured fabric or in a rush.
What advice would you give to a designer just starting out in Kenya? The same thing I have said over and over again, do not be in a hurry to start up on your own, find a designer you admire and work for them, learn from them, it reduces your exposure, you do not need to make the same mistakes all starts do. We can learn a lot in school, however there are valuable lessons you will pick up from your mentor.
What advice would you give to a designer just starting out in Kenya? The same thing I have said over and over again, do not be in a hurry to start up on your own, find a designer you admire and work for them, learn from them, it reduces your exposure, you do not need to make the same mistakes all starts do. We can learn a lot in school, however there are valuable lessons you will pick up from your mentor.
