“I was a model for a very long time, so in the journey of modeling, I became a fashion show producer. So, when I was a model, I saw the need for fashion show production. Because many Years ago I had a modeling agency called black dust, I had models but they had no work. I had to create jobs for them” former Kenyan model Ingred AWUOR told the RCFS’s Media during the interview in Nairobi

Ingred Awuor former Kenyan model, CEO, and founder of Jazz and Fashion Experience and Creative Director at NILOTIKA clothing brand (PHOTO INGRED) 

Fashion Industry in the East African countries is growing faster. This is seen through the number of local fashion designers already established in member countries. Some data from different sources state that in Kenya there are more than 150 local fashion designers with more than 30 who are well known fashion designers both locally and internationally. Walking around in Nairobi, you can see Kenyans adapting to wearing locally made clothes. It is clear that the fashion industry in Kenya is growing and continues to develop day by day.

Ingred Awuor former Kenyan model, CEO, and founder of Jazz and Fashion Experience and Creative Director at NILOTIKA clothing brand (PHOTO INGRED) 

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There are many people and institutions who are making this Kenyan fashion industry grow and develop. These include women who continue to make the industry alive in the capital city Nairobi and other parts of the country by bringing unique ideas into the fashion industry. Ms Ingred Awuor is among the longest fashion entrepreneurs in Kenya who started as a model then to model coach, to fashion producer, and to become a fashion designer. The former model is the CEO and founder of the Jazz and Fashion Experience and she is also Creative Director at Nilotika clothing brand based in Nairobi.

Ingred Awuor former Kenyan model, CEO, and founder of Jazz and Fashion Experience and Creative Director at NILOTIKA clothing brand (PHOTO INGRED) 

 During the interview with the RCFS’Media Ms Ingred took us on her journey from being a model to becoming a fashion show producer and own a fashion brand. Our journalist asked her some questions about her journey and what advice to other women who dream of becoming future fashion show producers in Africa and other parts of the world.

Journalist: Who is Ingred in terms of fashion, what are your favorite colors? 

In fashion, I have many favorite colors. I don’t even have my favorite colors, by the way, I am very diverse. I can not say I love red, I can't say I love.. because today you will find me in black and tomorrow you will find me in red and the other day you will find me in white. So I enjoy playing with colors, I don't have my favorite colors. 

Ingred Awuor former Kenyan model, CEO, and founder of Jazz and Fashion Experience and Creative Director at NILOTIKA clothing brand (PHOTO INGRED) 

Journalist: As a woman fashion show producer. What challenges do you face in your career and how do you overcome them? 

It is a lot of challenges, first of all, the main challenge is to get sponsorship. If you are doing fashion show production, a fashion show should be a tool of marketing, so this tool of marketing is the tool that you need to share with corporate, companies and sponsors because you can't do it alone. So, it is hard to convince a sponsor to see your fashion show as a tool of marketing. This is the first challenge I am dealing with as a fashion show producer. Because you need to show the brand that this is the marketing exposure for you and they need to believe in you. so getting sponsorship is challenging sometimes. 

Ingred Awuor former Kenyan model, CEO, and founder of Jazz and Fashion Experience and Creative Director at NILOTIKA clothing brand (PHOTO INGRED) 

 Journalist: How do you see the Kenyan fashion industry in terms of uniqueness and creativity? 

I think right now where we are at, we have a movement called MADE IN KENYA, buy Kenya, wear Kenya. Where we are I can see fashion designers putting their efforts into creating unique collections. I can also see a lot of Kenyans continue to embrace that it is okay for me to wear an outfit made in Kenya rather than importing an outfit.  So we are in a position where Kenyan fashion designers are showing a lot of creativity and a lot of hard work. Actually, most of my outfits in Walldrob are made in Kenya. 

Model on the runway, during the Jazz and Fashion Experience 2023 in Nairobi (PHOTO JFE)

Call for fashion designers to showcase in the Jazz and Fashion Experience 2024

 [ LISTEN TO A FULL PODCAST WITH INGRED AWUOR HERE ]

Journalist: What advice can you share with African women who dream of becoming future fashion show producers? 

First, it is the mindset. You have to believe it before you achieve it. forget about your gender, forget about your background, and forget about who people think you are. So believe it, think about what you want to do, and believe in that thing you want to do. and go for that thing and start small. Star with what you have. I believe that nothing is unachievable 

Ingred Awuor former Kenyan model, CEO, and founder of Jazz and Fashion Experience and Creative Director at NILOTIKA clothing brand (PHOTO INGRED) 

By RCFS's MEDIA