Creative DNA x Fashion Scout present WAUZINE – a digital showcase including three limited-edition digital publications, featuring 11 emerging designers from Kenya, and bringing together cross-cultural collaborations between writers, illustrators, and creative teams in both London and Nairobi. The first of our three issues explore Nairobi’s myriad neighborhoods through a fashion story by photographer Maganga Mwagogo showcasing the bold and powerful work of our designers and an in-depth essay by Awuor Onyango revealing the cultural and social ley lines that underpin the Kenyan capital. WAUZINE is designed and created by the team at Fashion Scout, with Helen Jennings, Co-founder and Editorial Director of Nataal Media as Features Editor, and showcases exclusive photoshoots under the creative direction of Sunny Dolat, Fashion Curator and Co-founder of The Nest Collective.
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Creative DNA programme supported by the British Council is focused on promoting alternative and innovative approaches to the global fashion system with the ambition of demonstrating that the fashion sector in Kenya is a professional choice for young people and a valuable contributor to the creative economy.
The programme conducted work in six major areas: Research and Insight, Policy and Advocacy, Business Support, NESTA Creative Enterprise Programme, Fashion-Incubator as well as #FashionFridays (read more here) As part of the Fashion Incubator programme, British Council is working with local fashion designers in Kenya to boost the growth of a sustainable creative industry in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic through a programme aimed at developing their skills, knowledge and global networks.
Creative DNA project is delivered by the Kenyan partner, Metta Nairobi and the UK based partner Fashion Scout, 11 fashion businesses have been immersed in a 12-month incubator programme between February 2020 and February 2021 – including a business bootcamp, personalised mentoring, competitive seed funding, and will be showcasing on Fashion Scout’s digital schedule during London Fashion Week. Creative Enterprise: the British Council offers individuals and organisations training in business and digital skills, networking events, access to new markets, and connections to resources.
CREATIVE DNA PARTNERS Fashion Scout:
Fashion Scout, is a leading international consultancy and platform for nurturing, empowering, and showcasing the future of fashion. Fashion Scout’s showcase events in London, Paris, Kiev, and other fashion weeks have presented a whole generation of designers to international media, buyers, and influencers. With 20 years of experience in the industry, the consultancy creates and delivers bespoke mentoring and development programmes for designers and organisations around the world – enabling designers to adapt and build sustainable businesses in these challenging times – and providing them with the opportunity to showcase their work to the international market.
fashionscout.co.uk
Mettā Nairobi:
Metta is Nest Groups’ physical and digital entrepreneurs’ network, where they bring together founders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, academics, and investors to collaborate. Nest Group is committed to creating collaborative environments that help corporates, start-ups, and our investors scale and succeed.
metta.co
HEVA Fund:
HEVA Fund is an East African fund that invests in the transformative social and economic potential of the creative economy sector in the East African region. Since 2013, HEVA has innovated financial models specifically for the East African creative economy and has invested in more than 20 creative businesses in the fashion, digital content, crafts, and decor value chains.
hevafund.com
WAUZINE WEBSITE & DIGITAL ZINE:
Biljana & Martyn Roberts, Editors In Chief, @fashionscout
Helen Jennings, Features Editor, @nataalmedia
Jessie Morgan, Design & Content Editor, @jessiemorgancreatives Jorge Da Silva, Website Development, @thecultmode
WAUZINE ISSUE ONE “Neighbourhood” Photoshoot Creative team Sunny Dolat, Creative Director, @sunnydolat
Maganga Mwagogo, Photographer, @maganga.mwagogo
Njeri Gitungo, Producer, @zi.ggie
Jane Pauline, Production Assistant, @janeywaithera
Silvia Tonui, Project Manager Kenya, @eastafricaarts
Bryan Emry, Styling Assistant, @bryan.emry
Sinitta Akello, Make-up Artist, @sinittaakello Richard Kinyua, Hair, @rickykish Adhel Bol, Model, @adhel_bol
Ronnie Nyongesa, Model, @_iam.ronnie
Shekinah Iman, Model, @shekinah_imani
Awuor Onyango, Writer, @oh_awuor
Precious Narotso, Illustrator, @pndraws