Brands who care

I arrived in Nairobi and promptly fell in love with colours, cultures and vibrancy of this amazing city.   Whilst we waited for our furniture to arrive from South Africa we visited markets, art fairs and all the locals stores. Gradually our staid ‘English style’ house became a riot of African colours and furniture, thanks mostly to these 5 brands.

Here are my five absolute favourite Kenyan Brands

Madoido

Madoido was my first experience of a company using the local Kitenge fabric to upholster and design gorgeous well-made furniture.

I bumped into the lovely owners at a fair at Nairobi School of Art and I literally had to hold my husband back from buying their entire stand. I covet every single items of furniture that they post on their Instagram.

Madoido is the Kiswahili word for ‘swag’ or ’embellishment. The rainbow colours of their handmade and incredibly cool chairs, benches, bars and stools sing to me of the vitality that is the beating heart of Nairobi. Even better their commitment to using local materials and craftsmen promotes sustainable livelihoods for the local community.

They have a Facebook page which you can order through or find them brightening up many of the local fairs and exhibitions.   It’s a dull house that doesn’t have a piece of Madoido furniture in it.

Sandfish

Sandfish clothing was another market find. First at the Organic market that springs up at the Purdy Arms every Saturday and then at the Xbox fair on Marula Lane. Their ‘oh so soft’ Indian cotton clothing, of which I already have far too much, are some of my favorite things to wear. Like wearing soft cotton pyjamas they are the comfiest and coolest clothes to wear in our temperate climate and they are beautifully made so you look great wearing them. Sandfish clothing is as loved by my kids as they are by my husband and myself.

All of Sandfish fabrics come from India and Kenya, many of them printed or woven by hand. The cotton is then soaked in mud or water for up to week after it is dyed so there is no fear of fading or shrinkage.   The clothing is natural, comfortable and incredibly stylish… a cool and fashionable change from your beloved Kikoy trousers. Find them on Facebook or on their website.

Zawadi baskets

There are baskets and then there’s baskets. In Kenya you will find a riot of colourful baskets on every corner but the quality really varies from place to place.  After buying two bags that broke after a couple of weeks but still lusting after those bright woven Basket bags, I arrived at Zawadi baskets.

Zawadi sources the best quality baskets from al over Kenya and then adds a unique touch using highly skilled local craftsmen.  To baskets and bags the softest leather straps, buckles and zips are added creating a bespoke item with truly Europe meets Africa sense of individuality. No two are the same but they are consistently of the highest quality.

Zawadi produces baskets of all shapes and sizes for storing items from toys to hairpins as well as a very stylish range of handbags and shopping bags.

Even better Zawadi also ship their products abroad, so if you are reading this in the UK and want a bit of Kenyan colour to make you stand out in a crowd then head to their Etsy shop and help yourself.

Love Artisan

I was bored one day and walked into one of those little home décor shops in the hub where everything is gorgeous but there’s nothing I can afford. I saw the most gorgeous Peacock Chair. When I went back a few weeks later it was gone. Oh how I dreamed of that peacock chair… Imagine my euphoria when a day later Love Artisan popped up on my Facebook as the makers of that very same chair. This story has a sad ending. I still haven’t managed to convince my husband that we need a peacock chair in our lives but I will. I keep trying to entice him to markets where I know Love Artisan are showing their stock and if I see that peacock chair it will be mine.

Love Artisan are another local furniture producer, crafting beautiful handmade furniture using African materials. The employ a liberal use of Kitenge but also material from other African countries , Im particularly taken by the mud cloth. Crafted by Ngong road carpenters using sustainably sourced wood. this is a company that is beautiful inside and out. Just don’t buy that peacock chair, its mine!

Find them on Facebook.

Ubuntu Made

Some of the items on the Ubuntu Made website have me goose pimply with want.   Delicate clutches, hipster bracelets and even a dog collar embroidered with the word ‘Peace’. They’ve taken the beadwork that is so typical of southern African and elevated it into high fashion stakes. I just love it.

Anyone who’s lived in Africa for a while will know the meaning or Ubuntu… a word used to describe togetherness. Ubuntu is the rock upon which this brand was built. Ubuntu Made creators had opened a school for disabled children and as the children’s mothers gained free time so did their desire to work. The mothers of those same children make Ubuntu Made products. Over 100 women from the Maasai tribe collaborate to make beautiful bags, wallets, purses, jewellery and even pet collars that would happily grace the arms of any woman, man or dog in the world.

I’d love the products for a long time and I’m incredibly moved by their story. It’s a powerful tale of hope and sustainable living for local people, if you do nothing else today, take 5 minutes to look at their website and share an amazing brand with your friends.  Find them on Facebook or here. 

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