Events: From Kenya w Love Pop Up

Event: From Kenya w Love/Sapellé – London Pop Up

[Image credit: Sapelle and FAFA Kenya Pop Up – Atelier Fifty-Five]

On Tuesday evening I braved the cold and made my way towards Covent Garden, Monmouth Street to be exact, where fashion boutique, Sapellé was holding a press evening to celebrate their pop-up in collaboration with the Festival for African Fashion and Arts (FAFA Kenya). A lovely evening, in attendance, was Daphne Kasambala founder of Sapellé; Ann McCreath, the co-founder of FAFA Kenya and the Kenyan fashion label KikoRomeo; and Hebret Lakew of Kenyan fashion label, Kooroo, all on hand to chat about their work.

Passersby were drawn to the boutique courtesy of two live models forming part if the window display, wearing some of the designs. Showcasing both Kenyan designers and Sapellé’s own collections, the collections range from bold and colourful sophistication to subtle chic. In addition to clothes, there are accessories including handbags, jewellery, scarves, iPad sleeves, and notebooks. Needless to say, I developed two new jewellery crushes, in the form of Le Collane di Betta, and a stunning cascading brass collar neckpiece by Niku Singh. 

The designers and brands featured are as follows:
FAFA Kenya
Niku Singh, Suave, KikoRomeo, Kooroo, Katungulu Mwendwa, Jamil Walji, Vintage Ankara,
Peperuka, Deepa Dosaja, Riri, Le Collane di Betta, Seeds of Hope

Sapellé:
Sapellé, M’OYO, Afromania, Miss Dee, Kampala Fair, Jose Hendo, Thula Sindi, Taibo Bacar, Kutowa Designs

[Image credits: top, Le Collane di Betta; bottom, Niku Singh – Atelier Fifty-Five]

The pop-up collaboration is part of a wider event called Festival Kenya, presented by Wherever The Need, a water sanitation charity; and tonight sees the celebration of Kenya’s cultural diversity and heritage, and 50 years of Kenyan independence, whilst raising money for a ground-breaking water project; building much-needed rainwater reserves in Laikipia, Kenya. The main event of the night will be a fashion show featuring the Kenyan designers from the boutique.

[Image credit: Sapellé Notebooks – Atelier Fifty-Five]

Open until Saturday, 30th November 2013, at 53 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, London, there is still enough time to pop in…and with Christmas and the holiday season just around the corner you may just find that perfect gift or party outfit.

Additional details: 
For further information about FAFA Kenya visit: http://fafakenya.com
For further information about Sapellé visit: http://sapelle.com/
For further information about Where Ever the Need visit: www.wherevertheneed.org.uk

[Image credits: The top image shown is courtesy Sapellé, all other images belong to Atelier Fifty-Five, and if copied and used elsewhere must be credited accordingly]