The event started at 3PM with the singing of the national anthem by Temina Semo. She is a brilliant social media influencer we had the pleasure of meeting. Known for her beautiful singing voice and her page that carries a self-care and awareness motto, she brought such light to the moment. And here is the cherry on top of the cake, she is also an alumna of Strathmore Law School. It is not every day that we get to interact with someone so well-rounded.
Her singing, she admitted, is not something she has ever really pursued. It is just something she does once in a while, but one she takes great pleasure in indulging. That little confession made her performance feel even more genuine.
After that came the discourse from the founder of AfriHue, Lynn Mulei. In her speech, she reminded us that no matter how far you drift from your calling, life has a way of guiding you back home to your destiny. And if you do not resist that wave, you will eventually find your true purpose.
She described AfriHue as a love letter from tradition to modernity, an embrace of Kenyan artistry that goes beyond the limits of time. Past, present, and future, she said, are only timelines if they remain unconnected. But when brought together, they create a collective memory. That is the mission of AfriHue: to tell a coherent story that feeds on the past, informs the present, and lays a foundation for the future.
This is not just a project, but a transformational journey, one that builds people, reconnects them with their roots, and prepares them to take pride in their beginnings.
Then came the Intellectual Property Rights workshop, led by Elaine Mbugua, an advocate and partner at EM & KM Advocates. She highlighted that many aspects of intellectual property remain largely unexplored in Kenya. One of the key gaps is the registration of intellectual assets. Many shy away from it because of the perception that the process is expensive. Yet, as she clarified, registration is in fact free and quite straightforward.
Of course, there are additional measures one can take to further protect their property, and these may come at a higher cost. But the first step, registering, remains both important and accessible to everyone. Depending on others to alert you if they spot misuse, or leaving your creations unprotected, is simply not sustainable.
Later on, guests were invited to enjoy a starter of light soup and salad. As expected with a very African crowd, the soup moderately did well, but the salad didn’t quite find the same success.
After the starters, the catwalk was officially opened by the Miss Earth winners, who graced the runway in stunning outfits by Joy Wachuka, a promising new designer emerging from the Mcensal School of Fashion.
Her collection was gold and black, colours close to her heart because of how much her mother loves them. This collection was a homage to a woman who has supported her since day one. Even Miss Fire, Florence Omondi, felt that the outfit she wore carried a level of depth that made her feel even more special.
Then came Pinky Ghelani. Her speech was a heartfelt tribute to the tribulations she has faced both as a model and as an advocate for pageantry. One point came out very clearly, the importance of giving back to the community that builds you. Not every opportunity, she reminded us, should be treated as a stepping stone. Sometimes it is about creating a chain of accountability that opens space for more people to succeed and grow.
The Fashion Segment
Eva WAMBUTU
The first designer, Eva Wambutu, was then presented and she unveiled her new collection during the event. This collection was truly an eye-catcher.
One thing that stood out unanimously among the models was how comfortable the outfits were. The colours were vibrant, and stitching was done so delicately that the fabric stretched just enough to fit their forms. In her speech, Eva shared that this collection was one she put together in less than two weeks, simply wanting to honour the invitation to the best of her ability.
KOVU COUTURE
Then came Joy Wanja, the creative mind behind Kovu Couture, who unveiled her latest collection titled Candyland.
In her speech, she took us into her world of colour, one that symbolizes euphoria for its own sake. It is about dressing how you feel, expressing good vibes, and sharing an energy that is wholesome and overflowing.
Afterwards, guests were ushered to the second meal of the day, a spread of proteins, carbs, and vegetables thoughtfully prepared by Ole Sereni’s chef.
As people enjoyed their meal, they requested that the show continue. It was a unanimous call; they simply could not wait to see more.
SimplyMilly
SimplyMilly, a brand created by Millicent Oluoch, was next. In her speech, true to her strong advocacy for sustainability, she reminded the crowd that sustainability is not something that needs to be endlessly talked about, it needs to be lived. And it begins with our purchasing choices. It begins with opening our minds to the possibility that clothes can be given a second life.
Her collection was luxurious in ways you would never imagine from an old pair of suit pants or a jacket. It was giving modern, red-carpet, gala-ready outfit.
It also raises an important question: beyond donating your clothes as a way of giving them a second life, what else do you do to ensure those same clothes remain part of the sustainability cycle?
After her collection came the performance of a young musician named Sho. Her voice was nothing short of a full-circle moment. It was raw and technical, with little to no assistance or modification, and it made the room feel as though it was breathing fresh air with every word.
ALOR COUTURE
Then came Amelia Alor, whose collection was a tribute to ancient Egyptian patterns.
The use of white and deep blue throughout her work showed a level of mastery that only hours of discipline and dedication could achieve.
SHOPZETU
Lastly came ShopZetu, who presented a variety of outfits showcasing the versatility of the brands they collaborate with. It felt like walking into a wardrobe and being given the chance to see it all—from chic travel attire to playful brunch-date outfits, to trendy street looks. It was a journey through a marvellous world of colours and textures, each piece reflecting a different style while still blending into a bigger picture of elegance.
The event ended with the Editor’s speech, a simple yet powerful reminder that although life can sometimes deal you cards that do not play in your favour, all it really takes is the courage to try. Because regardless of the outcome, by trying you add value to your life, whether it is through learning something new or rediscovering something you had forgotten along the way.
In the end, the true measure of this event’s success was not defined by the kind of crowd we managed to bring into the room. Its success lay in the presence of those who, at different stages, have become part of AfriHue’s unfolding story. Each person carried with them a thread of our history, and together they wove a moment that was both humbling and inspiring.
There is a unique strength in being surrounded by people who genuinely believe in you, who hold hope for your journey, and who are willing to stand beside you as you strive toward your vision. That is what made this gathering remarkable. It was not just an event; it was a reaffirmation of purpose, a reminder that AfriHue is not built in isolation but through a community that continues to shape, support, and believe in its future.
