Chico Leco Presents 8 Fashion Collections

Between April 10 – 19, Chico Leco (a program of the NEST focusing on artistic collaborations between fashion designers, stylists, photographers and directors) unveiled eight stunning collections by Kenyan designers Katungulu Mwendwa, Kepha Maina, Nick Ondu (Ankara Vintage), Ruth Abade (Black Fly), Sydney Owino (Blackbird), Sunny Dolat, Sheila Amolo and Wambui Mukenyi showcased by conceptual videos directed by three video artists (Dan Muchina, Jim Chuchu and Mbithi Masya).

April 10 – Katungulu Mwendwa (Dinka Translation)
Director: Jim Chuchu

Katungulu Mwendwa’s designs are modern and edgy with an almost ethereal quality and are distinctly grounded in her rich African heritage. Her eponymous collection at the GenArt ‘Fresh Faces in Fashion’ show during New York Fashion Week 2012 was met with tremendous praise. Her Pre-Fall 2013 collection – Dinka Translation – takes its main cues from Dinka culture.Read more about the collection here (PDF).

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April 11 – Sunny Dolat (Sun Seeker)
Director: Mbithi Masya

Sunny Dolat’s work focuses on fit and cut with a strong interest in fine fabrics. His work maps the multiple evolving definitions of masculinity. His Fall/Winter 2013 collection – Sunseeker – draws from his heritage to spawn a fluidly stylized collection turned out as a smooth journey through fabric, colour and print. Read more about the collection here(PDF).

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April 12 – Kepha Maina (Eden by Night)
Director: Dan Muchina

The use of lines, curves and panelling belie Kepha Maina’s formal years of training as an architect. His Fall/Winter 2013 collection – Eden By Night – is inspired by dark flowers, and designed for the woman who is not afraid of consummate power and the possibilities therein. Read more about the collection here (PDF).

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April 15 – Nick Ondu (Urban Hunter)
Director: Jim Chuchu

Nick’s work is a mesmerising melange of motifs. His medium is ethnic prints: from paisley to bogolan to impressions of kuba cloth. His Fall/Winter 2013 collection – Urban Hunter – is a unisex selection inspired by Man’s innate ruggedness, his hunger for adventure, raw primitivism and the human need for desire. Read more about the collection here (PDF).

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April 16 – Blackbird (Retro Reflections)

Director: Mbithi Masya

Zeddekiah Lukoe and Sydney Owino are the genius behind the luxury brand, Blackbird. Their Fall/Winter 2013 collection – Retro Reflections – is a celebration of art movements, sampling Cubism, Abstract Expressionism and Deconstructivism. Read more about the collection here (PDF).

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April 17 – Wambui Mukenyi (Moon Flower)
Director: Dan Muchina

The Wambui Mukenyi label is a statement of style in contemporary living where refinement meets the dynamic needs of any wardrobe. Her Fall/Winter 2013 collection – Moon Flower – is the result of the designer’s dedicated venture into evening gowns. Inspired by dusk blossoms, the dresses are both playfully shocking and saucily demure. Read more about the collection here (PDF).

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April 18 – Sheila Amolo (Glamourai)
Director: Jim Chuchu

Sheila Amolo’s Fall/Winter 2013 collection – Glamourai – marked her design comeback this season. With Glamourai, Sheila explores the reinvented femme fatale heavily inspired by Japanese heroines Captain Soifon from Bleach and Sakura Haruno from Naruto. Read more about the collection here(PDF).

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April 19 – Ruth Abade (Enfant de Boheme)
Director: Mbithi Masya

Ruth Abade is an alchemist with prints and colour which – teamed with her calculated cuts – is a veritable ode to the eclectic attitude. Her Fall/Winter 2013 collection – Enfant De Boheme – is a purposeful collaboration with the bold and theatrical results in an iconic maximalist look which is the designer’s signature. Read more about the collection here (PDF).

Chico Leco Presents was executive produced and styled by Sunny Dolat, and featured models Knicco Hodge, Fiona Muthoni, Nick Mwaniki, Namnyak Odupoy, Lucarelli Onyango, Brian Onyango, Hivita Rogato, Emo Rugene and Great Toluwase (with thanks to Strut It Afrika). Makeup and hair styling was provided by Bellesa Africa.

>via: http://www.becauseartislife.org/blog/24/6/2013-chico-leco-presents-8-fashion-collections

Neo-Griot

VIDEO: Chico Leco Presents 8 Fashion Collections

Chico Leco Presents 8 Fashion Collections