(2 Jul 1999) English/Nat TOMORROW'S TREND SETTERS AIM FOR THE BIG TIME
Story: Nairobi fashion
Location: Nairobi
Date: June 18 1999
Nairobi's Safari Park Hotel is a far cry from catwalks of Paris and Milan. But for Kenya's aspiring young designers it was the place to be as they joined a bevy of local beauties to gear up for the regional final of the Smirnoff Fashion Awards.
Founded in 1984, the awards have evolved over the past 15 years to become one of the most prestigious events in the world. Each year competitions are held in more than 30 countries, the eventual winners going on the compete in the international finale. Kenyan designer Melima Kamuche was voted overall winner in Berlin last year, so expectations were high for this year's competition in Nairobi.
The 32 finalists - divided into student and professional categories - are expected to produce two outfits: an avant garde design inspired by Couture, and a commercial ensemble reflective of high street fashion.
Designing to a brief of "virtual nature", entrants around the world are being encouraged to think about using fabrics derived from nature and fashioned using only conventional skills, or synthetic fibres using the latest in technology and machinery.
Internationally renowned designers REN PEARCE and ANDREW FIONDA - responsible for the Pearce-Fionda womenswear label - headed the panel of judges, along with hair and fashion consultant SALMA KARA-PALMER. They all had a chance to see the garments close up before the catwalk show.
Many of Kenya's entries were clearly inspired by the region's rich wildlife, which offered designers plenty of opportunity to let their imaginations run wild. MERCY MUENI MUNYWOKI's giraffe dress was a stand-out, along with SELESA EDEN JOY's Arum lily design. Professional competitor TANSEEM RASHID also caused a stir with her `crocodile' couture design, which set the outlandish tone that dominated the competition.
However all the judges - Pearce and Fionda in particular - were impressed by the high standard of design and attention to detail.
The fashion awards have become a stepping stone for many of Kenya's fashion houses, with this year's awards attracting designers in both student and professional categories from celebrated fashion schools such such as the Evelyn College of Design, the University of Nairobi and the Buru Buru Institute of Fine Arts.
With the close-up assessment out of the way, all that remained was the grand finale - a full scale fashion show.
First prize in the professional category went to Mercy Mueni Munywoki, whose giraffe outfit raised many an eyebrow at the judges' preview, while an emotional DOROTHY PASHA took top honours in the student category.
This year's international finale will be held in Hong Kong in November.
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