SWAHILI FASHION WEEK OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN KENYA

Mustafa Hassanali briefing the Media, on his left is USAID Compete Representative Finn Holm-Olsen and on the right Redd's Kenya Marketing Manager Pinkie Nyandoro.
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*SWAHILI FASHION WEEK TO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF "UHURU"

SWAHILI Fashion Week, East and Central Africa largest fashion event, now in its Fourth year, will be held at The National Museum on the 10th, 11th and 12th November 2011 in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Swahili Fashion Week 2011 will collectively bring together 50 fashion and accessories designers from Swahili speaking countries and beyond to showcase their creativity and forecast future fashion trends for the region.

"Over the years since its inception in 2008, we have grown tremendously, and now we look towards regional integration of the East Africa Member states using the Fashion industry , Thus Launching Officially Swahili Fashion week – Kenya Chapter this year especially when we celebrating 50 years of Tanzanian Independence" stated the founder of the Fashion week Mustafa Hassanali. When he addressed the Kenyan Media on 2 November 2011 at a reception hosted by REDD’S in Nairobi

Four Kenyan Designers have been invited to showcase at this event, namely Patricia Lulu Mbela of Poisa, Rachel Mutindi of KI2 Collection, Vera vee Ochia from Malindi and Sonu Sharma of just Like that.

"Being the drink of choice for the discerning woman, REDD’S Original, wishes the Kenyan designers showcasing at Swahili fashion week the very best and we hope they shall showcase Kenyan creativity to its best" stated Redd’s Marketing manager Pinkie Nyandoro

In addition to the Fashion Show presentations, Swahili Fashion Week Shopping Festival which was incorporated in year 2010 will once again be the main feature and up to date more than 40 exhibitors participating thus making it the largest shopping festival in the country.

"Opening Swahili Fashion Week to a new audience, and keeping to the tradition of being first, this year we shall unveil the first ever Fashion Awards in East and Central Africa celebrating achievements made by the fashion industry stakeholders not only in the Tanzania but also in the region ", added Hassanali

In the Best East African Designer category, nominees from Kenya are Wambui Njogu of MOO COW, Anne Mcreath of KIKO ROMEO, Patricia Mbela of POISA and John Kaveke.

"Being Truly East African, Precision Air, Tanzania Largest and Fastest Growing Private airline truly embodies the value of regional integration, hence being the Official Airline of the Region Largest Fashion event, we look forward to promoting the Fashion Industry within East Africa." Stated Precision Air Country manager Sarah Wachira.

USAID Compete Have played a pivotal role in the Swahili Fashion Week by Empowering the Knowledge of the Various Industry stakeholders as to how to integrate marketing with Fashion, building World Class East African Brands.

"With our Ambitious plan to promote the Business of Fashion in the region, I would like to thank all our Partners, some of whom have supported us from the past previous Years to-date in Our initiative to develop , nurture and foster growth of the regions fashion and textile industry " Concluded Mustafa

Swahili fashion week 2011 has been sponsored by USAID – Compete, Origin Africa home of Swahili Fashion Week - Southern Sun, EATV, East Africa Radio, Precision Air, BASATA (Baraza La Sanaa Tanzania), Amarula, Ultimate Security, REDD’S original, Image Masters, Global Outdoor Ltd, Vayle Springs Ltd, Eventlites, Nipashe, Perfect Machinery Ltd, Michuzi blog, PKF Tanzania, photo point and 361 Degrees.

ABOUT SWAHILI FASHION WEEK
Swahili Fashion Week is a fast growing platform for fashion and accessory designers from Swahili speaking countries and the African continent to showcase their talent, market their creativity and network with clientele and the international fashion industry. This is all aimed at emphasizing to the region that fashion is an income generating creative industry, meanwhile promoting a "Made in Africa" concept.

Swahili Fashion Week is NOW the largest annual fashion platform in East and Central Africa, to date. In its fourth year, Swahili Fashion Week will be celebrating Tanzania’s 50 years of Independence, by bringing together 50 designers from Tanzania, Its neighbouring countries and rest of the world in celebrating its "UHURU".

Having initiated a dynamic and promising platform for the fashion industry in the region, Swahili Fashion Week is now geared towards being the most sought out after fashion platform in Africa for the international market founded, created and conceptualised in year 2008 by Mustafa Hassanali.