By women for women: Kenyan fashion brand Studio Fit takes African style beyond borders

Kenyan fashion brands have taken over the Ankara designs, with touches of style in clothing, shoes and other apparels. 

While most of the clothes worn in Kenya are either newly-imported or second-hand (mtumba) a number of designers are now sourcing local talent, and fabric to define unique style. 

Studio Fit, a fashion house founded in 2019 has established its uniqueness in designs by women, for women. 

Founded by Sheila King’ori, Studio Fit aims at setting new standards in African fashion through innovation, craftsmanship, and empowerment. This is while merging style with sustainability.

Sheila describes the fashion brand as one that works with skilled tailors and young designers to foster a culture of learning and growth. 

Their collections feature a mix of clothing, woven and leather accessories, and, most recently, a brass jewelry collection that proudly showcases the craftsmanship of local artisans.

“For years now, we have sourced all our fabric from local suppliers. Recently we introduced our signature print and we had to outsource the printing service abroad. Now, we can say that we source our fabric both locally and internationally,” Kingori told Citizen Digital. 

Beyond the Kenyan border, Studio Fit designs have been showcased in international platforms including the Hub of Africa Fashion Week (HAFW) in Addis Ababa and the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) in 2024 . 

However, the fashion brand’s mission is to be internationally accessible while staying true to its African roots.

“I hope that we can increase our market share within the region, simultaneously. I would hope that my brand is also internationally recognizable and accessible,” says Sheila. 

“I believe these events provide a great platform for African designers to showcase their work. Every designer should experience a runway at least once. It is very hands-on, and you get to learn a lot on the job. The networks and visibility these events expose you to, as a designer, shape the trajectory of your brand,” she adds.