1. Describe your work: What area of fashion & design do you focus on?
We design and retail affordable, quality bags for the everyday working people. We also partner and support artisans who manufacture our products.
2. What are you most inspired by and what is the core value/driving principle that leads your work?
Kenyans have inspired our work because of their unique personalities, characters, and style. We try to match that energy in our products so that they can carry and own products that truly reflect them.
3. Has COVID-19 affected your practice as a designer and your approach to your brand?
Yes, it has. Sales have dipped so we have had to postpone some of the expansion plans that we have. We have reduced our product selection to our fastest moving bags and have contracted a management team to help us restrategize for this new normal.
4. Can you tell us about your supply chain and the materials you use?
Our most common materials are PU Leather and African inspired cotton (Kente and Kitenge). Our suppliers mainly come from big importers who bring them in from China and Thailand.
5. What does ‘Made in Kenya’ mean to you?
Made in Kenya’ for me means products designed by Kenyans, produced by Kenyans using materials sourced in Kenya. Although I know the challenges of meeting all of these criteria 100%, any business that is striving to achieve any of them is a ‘Made in Kenya’ business.
6. What shifts would you like to see take place in the global fashion industry over the next 5 years?
I would like to see a more environmentally-conscious and human-centered fashion culture. So much of what we see is either ‘fast fashion’ or ‘super-luxury’ which has been detrimental to both the people involved in the making of fashion and those consuming fashion.
Our social media handles are:
• Instagram @thenisisifactory
• Facebook: @theNisisiFactory
• Twitter: @Nisisi_Factory
• LinkedIn: @thenisisifactory
