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| Founders of Njema Helena |
Njema Helena is a fashion company established in Nairobi, Kenya. It
strives to create modern fashion with an African aesthetic for everyday
life, while ensuring sustainable and fair production of all its products
in Kenya.
All materials and fabrics are sourced from local traders and all
products are produced exclusively in Kenya, encouraging local trade and
employment, as well as providing training and new
growth opportunities for Njema’s dressmakers.
Our entire collection is designed by fashion designer, Cecilia
Ostman, who graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New
York and has designed for international fashion labels including Ralph
Lauren.
One of the biggest challenges Njema Helena faces is difficulties in
accessing the fabric which it sources from West Africa. “It is very hard
to find the fabric. We only get limited quantities,” says Cecilia.
The designer adds that doing business in Africa is “complicated” but “not more complicated than doing it anywhere else”.
“We often think that Africa is so different, but it isn’t. It is all
about how you relate to things. If you don’t know how to relate to the
place you are in, you will have great difficulties,” Anne adds.
“I really think people should come here and not be afraid of
investing in Africa. It has its problems, but there must be problems
everywhere else.”
According to Cecilia, there is “a big push for African designs”
globally, however Africa-based designers need to deliver high quality to
be able to compete with better known brands in foreign markets.
Africa has what it takes to create an exceptional impact in Fashion Industry.
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