Kenyan Model for Vivienne Westwood at PFW

Kenyan model Elsie Njeri closed Vivienne Westwood's Spring/Summer 2014 show at Paris Fashion Week happening this week. We couldn't be prouder!

Elsie with Vivienne Westwood

Browse the looks and read about the show in The Independent.

Behind-the-Scenes at "Mashariki Mix"

Mashariki Mix Presenter Sarah Hassan wears metallic dress from Office Diva.

Mashariki Mix Presenter Nic Wangundu. 

Mashariki Mix Entertainment News Presenter Amina Abdi wears leopard print dress from Office Diva.

Shot at LEVEL8 at the Best Western Hotel rooftop. 

Contact formal and vintage dress retailer Office Diva at +254 (0)723305772, and remember to watch Mashariki Mix weeknights at 19.30 on AfricaMagic (MNET).

PRAY FOR KENYA

Today is the third day of a terrorist siege being held at a popular mall here in Nairobi. Westgate Mall is a shopping centre where my mom and I go every Saturday to grocery shop and generally hang out. As usual, last Saturday (September 21st) we were on our way there when a horror story we couldn't conceive in our wildest nightmares was unfolding: Terrorist gunmen stormed the mall shooting indiscriminately at innocent civilian men, women, and children. Many escaped, many are dead or unaccounted for. As things stand, the gunmen are holding an undisclosed number of hostages within the mall while security forces plan a rescue operation. The entire city is now under siege. Our hearts are literally under siege.

We are hoping and praying and praying and hoping in turn. Please join us in thoughts of goodwill and prayer for this situation to be resolved. Our lives are on hold until people's lives are saved.

#Westgate #PrayFor Kenya #WeAreOne

OLUCHI covers New African Woman

Africa's Next Top Model (#ANTMAfrica) hostess and model mentor Oluchi Orlandi graces the cover of New African Woman this month. I was recently honoured to sit alongside her as a guest judge on Africa's Next Top Model which airs at an MNET screen near you in the coming months.

Oluchi's fashion icon status on this continent is becoming very real.

Thanks New African Woman for the images. Find Oluchi on Twitter: @OLUCHI

...and look out for Season 1 of ANTMAfrica!

POISA by Patricia Mbela

A sneak peak from Kenyan brand POISA. This is designer Patricia Mbela's latest offering after an extended hiatus from the scene...

Behind-the-Scenes at "Mashariki Mix"

Swahili Presenter Sarah Hassan in Steve's Collection corset top.

Sarah wears Steve's Collection peplum florals.

Makeup by Koby

With Mashariki Mix Entertainment News Presenter Amina Abdi (also wearing Steve's Collection).

Find Steve's Collection at Bishan Plaza, Mpaka Road in Westlands (1st floor, beneath Black Diamond) or contact them at +254 (0)723784374

Watch Mashariki Mix weeknights at 19.30 on AfricaMagic (MNET).

Lupita Nyong'o in "12 Years a Slave"

Actress, Lupita Nyong'o

Pictured above is Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o. Here she is at the Toronto International Film Festival this past weekend for her role in the Steve McQueen film 12 Years a Slave (2013). She plays a slavegirl Patsey in the movie, alongside Hollywood superweights Chewetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, and Brad Pitt. Aside from being a formidable up-and-coming actress, we couldn't be prouder of Lupita in this embellished PRADA gown and Raso Stone clutch. The soft white sheath dress (effortlessly worn and elegantly covering what I know to be an incredible body) offsets her glowing complexion and short hair. 

Once they get into the spotlight, it usually takes new actresses time to understand their style game; many fumble at first with red carpet experiences (usually without the help of a Stylist) that later become material for the humiliating portion of their E! True Hollywood Story. But Lupita has nailed it here. I don't think Kenya could be more honoured by this highly dignified representation of ourselves. God knows we need it.

Courtesy of WESTHOUSE, A One Degree South Hotel

A boutique hotel on the edge of sprawling, urban green space Karura Forest, WESTHOUSE is the city's newest chic spot. Its combination of contemporary interior design (fashioned by some of Kenya's nouveau artists) in a warm natural setting with matching views, is the best thing about it.

Shot at WESTHOUSE

                                            

Have your own WESTHOUSE experience at Eldama Ravine, Westlands in Nairobi. 

Images shot on my SamsungS4Zoom.

DINKA TRANSLATION: by Katungulu Mwendwa

Katungulu Mwendwa's latest offering is officially here. The new collection stays true to the Kenyan designer's minimalist aesthetic and neutral palette - blacks, greys, nudes - with a focus on draping, layering, and unexpected shapes and dimensions. Mwendwa's clothes are clean and unfussy, yet extremely well made. With fashion personality Namnyak Charity Odupoy as her muse, Katungulu Mwendwa takes Kenyan fashion to a place that may challenge some local consumers, but will fit very comfortably in a more discerning international scene.

Model, Namnyak Charity Odupoy

Meanwhile at DINKA TRANSLATION, the Katungulu Mwendwa presentation ...

Designer Katungulu Mwendwa (centre)

Katungulu Mwendwa is now accepting orders: info@katungulumwndwa.com 

Shoot photography by Cranium Ink at The Shifteye Gallery. All event images courtesy of Magiq Lens, see more here.