The Kenyan Fashion Story will hold its 2026 edition on November 28 at Karen Village, with organisers seeking to put greater focus on the business and sustainability of Kenya’s fashion industry.
The event, themed The Next Chapter, will bring together designers, models, creatives, businesses, media and fashion enthusiasts.
Founder Ingred Awuor said this year’s edition will look beyond fashion shows to address issues affecting creatives, including pricing, professionalism, partnerships, access to markets and earning from creative work.
The Next Chapter is centred on the growth and evolution of Kenya’s fashion industry, with the organisers seeking to create opportunities for emerging designers, models, creatives and entrepreneurs.
“Talent alone is not enough. As an industry, we also need to have more conversations about the business of creativity — how creatives price their work, build sustainable brands, understand professionalism, create partnerships, access markets and ultimately earn from their talent,” says Ingred.
The event will feature a runway showcasing Kenyan designers and their collections, alongside exhibitions where guests can interact with and shop from local brands.
There will also be live storytelling and conversations focusing on the people and inspiration behind the designs.
According to Awuor, Made in Kenya will be central to the event, with the platform seeking to encourage greater support for locally produced fashion and Kenyan craftsmanship.
“We exist to showcase Kenyan talent, tell authentic stories, create opportunities, champion Made in Kenya and help build a stronger, more sustainable fashion industry,” she says.
According to organisers, the platform was established for designers, models and other creatives to showcase their work and build industry connections.
Awuor said they also want to highlight the wider creative sector, which includes stylists, photographers, makeup artists, hair professionals, musicians, dancers, poets, painters, content creators and entrepreneurs.
They have identified five areas of focus for the platform: showcasing Kenyan fashion, creating opportunities for creatives, telling the stories behind local fashion, promoting Made in Kenya and strengthening connections within the fashion community.
The 2026 edition will be held as a daytime event, which Awuor said was intended to make it accessible to a larger audience, including families.
“We have intentionally created a daytime fashion experience because we want the event to be welcoming and accessible to a wider audience, including families, while still creating a vibrant space for fashion lovers, creatives, businesses and industry professionals to connect,” she added.