- Kibera-based graduate Hillary Mukabwa is building a fashion brand using a traditional handloom weaving method
- He shared his journey and why he chose the traditional method to express his fashion craft
- Mukabwa said he aims to empower young people and mothers in Kibera through job creation and skills development
A young man from Kibera in Nairobi County has defied the odds in the fashion industry by using traditional weaving methods to create unique apparel.
Source: Instagram
Hillary Mukabwa, a finance and design graduate, uses a traditional handloom weaving technique to make clothes, bags, table mats, and other items.
His craft stands out from the common sewing machines and materials used by other fashion designers, bringing an authentic traditional feel to every piece he creates.
How does the handloom weaving method work?
Mukabwa said his small studio specialises in handmade items, as even the machine itself is operated manually.
“The machine uses a mechanism where there is a counter-balance system; it opens different types of thread and a shuttle passes through to create the fabric,” he explained.
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The young entrepreneur chose to maximise the use of the handloom method to encourage peers in the fashion industry to embrace traditional craft and diversify their income streams.
For him, it is about designing items that are long-lasting and emotionally meaningful to own.
“I realised there was a gap where people like me are not conversant with and are unable to learn about this process because it looks tiresome, bulky and unachievable,” he noted.
Mukabwa uses locally sourced cotton as his main raw material, and with his creative vision, the graduate produces a wide range of products, including clothes and even towels.
He sells his items online through his social media pages, targeting anyone who appreciates fashion and Kenyan-made apparel.
His business, dubbed Mukabwa Studio, currently relies on custom orders, as most of his clients prefer personalised items.
“They come, and we choose a colour together, type of fabric and design as well, so he or she is part of the whole process. My business is still small but growing, and I have bigger plans to give back to my community,” he shared.
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The finance and design graduate noted that his long-term goal is to empower young people and mothers who never had a chance to pursue education in Kibera, where he grew up.
Mukabwa said he ultimately plans to create employment opportunities and contribute to economic empowerment in the community.
Source: NGBREAKINGNEWS
