For Elegant Kenyan Inspired Looks, Kangulu Mwendwa Is One Brand To Look Out For.

African brands continue to grow in leaps and bounds. It is a delight to see these brands make excellent outfits and flawlessly put their knowledge of culture and fashion together to birth breath-taking fashion statements.

Katungulu Mwendwa is one of such brands and it was born out of confidence, motivation and passion for fashion. The Katungulu Mwendwa brand is living its dream – quality and fashion.

Creatives and art lovers are one group of people who get excited by Africa and the concepts that have to do with it. We asked a couple of them about their opinions on African outfits and their responses were exciting.

I like Africa and our culture, I will wear African ready to wear outfits graciously.

AdeBimpe Olawale, CONTENT Creator.

About The Katungulu Mwendwa Brand

The Kenyan eponymous brand, Katungulu Mwendwa was founded by the Kenyan born and raised designer Katungulu Mwendwa. Mwendwa uses traditional methods and modern techniques to bring her art to life.

Growing up, she was surrounded by knowledge and art. This exposure inspired her love for fashion. Her mother was a Psychologist and her father, an Architect.

The brand is run solely by Mwenda herself. All outfits- kaftan, dresses and scarfs are handmade by her with little help from other designers.

The brand designs casual, stylish and comfortable work and formal ready-to-wear outfits. Their goal is to create quality and comfortable casual clothing by working solely with excellent materials and paying close attention to details while working on each of them.

Their attention to details is topnotch and it can be seen in all their outfits. They borrow cues from traditional African cultures across the continent and fuse them to make modern inspired clothing.

Kenyan fabrics are beautiful. It would be a delight to wear them.

BLESSING OBI, Copywriter.

Funding History

In an interview with vogue, Mwendwa said:

As a designer, you are still a struggling artist

Katungulu mwendwa

After studying fashion design in the UK, Mwendwa came back to Nairobi to intern in a fashion house, Lalesso, a fashion house based in Malindi. She finally got the confidence to start her brand which was funded majorly by family and close friends.

As the brand grew, it made sales. It is now funded by profits made from sales of their statement pieces. Though Mwendwa is clear that the brand is not yet big on profits, business is growing.

Collections

The brand, which has 2 collections under its belt, never runs out of creativity. It’s 2016 “People of Taboo” collection is a sight to behold and it has over 15 outfits in it. They were a beautiful array of dresses, pants, jackets and kimonos with drapes added gracefully to the necks to look like scarfs.

Top Competitors

Mwendwa knows her onions but that doesn’t stop her from having competitors all over Africa. The fashion world has lots of fashion brands that offer similar services. Therefore, Katungulu Mwendwa has tons of competitors.

• Maki Oh

Maki Oh is a Nigerian-based fashion brand that fuses traditional African techniques with detailed contemporary designs. They make womenswear and have a good reputation for their exploits.

• Selly Raby Kane.

Selly Raby Kane, is a Senegalese eponymous fashion brand known for its fierce creativity that is channelled into every design. Though not in Kenya, The brand is doing so well and gaining grounds Africa. It fuses traditional and modern styles effortlessly.

Target Audience

Katungulu Mwendwa’s outfits are for fashion-forward men and women. Sleek kaftans and classy dresses are put together for people who like to look casual, comfortable and stylish. Attention is paid to every detail in the outfit for the regal feel the cloth will give.

How The Brand Is impacting the Continent

The brand is showing the world that beauties can be seen in Africa as it consistently makes outfits that border around traditional looks. It also boosts the economy of its country and, by extension, Africa through export.