Picture By: Brian Otieno/ Storitellah "Fashion is about dressing according to what's fashionable. Style is more about being yourself." —Oscar de la RentaStreet fashion is the umbrella term used to define styles or fashions created from a sub-culture or based on individual preferences as opposed to following conventional fashion industry trends. Generally associated with youth culture, street fashion is mostly seen in major urban centers. Here are a few Kenyan fashionistas who make street fashion look like a breeze:
2 Many Siblings
This brother-sister duo consisting of Velma Rossa and Oliver Asike are famously known for their blog
2 Many Siblings; borne out of their combined love for art and clothes. On the blog they document their striking street and vintage styles.
2 Many Siblings are among the creatives shifting the conversation on African fashion. They advocate for young African designers and have their own fashion brand titled Rossa and Asike. They were also featured on Vogue and ASOS. They are also the team behind Thrift Social - an event that allows the exploration of art, music and fashion, while giving inspiration for innovators in the creative industry.
Picha Marangi
Picture by: Slumphotography/Biko Macoins MashilingiArguably Kenya's most stylish man, Stephen Okoth, best known as Picha Marangi made a decision not to let his surroundings define him. Instead, he decided to bring out the best of fashion against a backdrop of the slums of Kibera. Marangi uses his environment as an inspiration for his daily colourful outfits. He is known for his love of bold hues and his unique and tasteful knack for re-designing second-hand clothing sourced from the famous Gikomba Market. In September 2018, a fashion film by Nathan Collett titled Picha Marangi: The Fashionista of Kibera (2018) inspired by and starring Okoth, won best film at Bokeh SA International Fashion Film Festival.
Alexis Nerea
Alexis is the queen of intricate on Instagram. Inspired by a desire to shift the perception around Africa, she began taking thoughtful, complex and beautiful portraits in her everyday surroundings. Her style is a juxtaposition of vintage with bohemian. She describes herself as a weirdo willing to make the rest of us comfortable in a normal world. She began her startup company Wardrobe Banter for jewelry and accessories. Street style is not all about the clothes but accessories too, and her collection of trendy sunglasses is a must-see showcase.
Dapper Twins
Here's yet another sibling duo sharing their love for fashion. Vincent and Bill Liboso somehow manage to pull off similar yet very distinctive looks. The Liboso brothers' are experimental. They incorporate African fabrics in their ties, bags and shoes. When they aren't wearing African fabric, they make sure they are accessorizing with it. Their love for fashion led them to start their own fashion line Quincitydesigns, which has trendy pieces like Ankara crotch pants.
Winnie Odande
This multifaceted fashion stylist and blogger is the brains and creative director of Dande Styles. Odande has managed to carve a niche for herself styling editorial shoots, personal clients, and celebrities. She also does personal shopping, content creation, and fashion consultancy. Odande has featured on various local and international platforms and also gained nominations on the local fashion scene for her blogging and styling business. She is currently a style mentor at EBRU TV's Rate My Style.
When it comes to street wear,
'bold and beautiful' looks do the trick. The exciting thing about street fashion is that it covers a whole range of unique, individual and authentic styles. The potential is therefore limitless.
