Nairobi Fashion Week (NFW) returns for its eighth edition with a bold and timely message: Decarbonise. Running from January 28 to 31, 2026, Season 8 positions Nairobi at the heart of Africa’s growing sustainable fashion movement, bringing together Kenyan and international designers committed to conscious production, craftsmanship, and responsible design.
Event Dates: January 28–31, 2026
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Building on the momentum of Season 7, this edition marks a clear evolution of the platform from a traditional runway showcase to a space where fashion, sustainability, and cultural dialogue intersect.
What “Decarbonise” Means for Fashion in Africa
At the core of Nairobi Fashion Week 2026 is a challenge to the global fashion industry: slow down, rethink production, and design with intention.
The Decarbonise theme pushes designers to interrogate materials, supply chains, durability, and environmental impact, while still delivering strong creative expression.
Rather than treating sustainability as a trend, NFW Season 8 frames it as a long-term responsibility. From upcycled textiles and circular design principles to handcrafted techniques and ethical sourcing, the collections showcased reflect fashion that is built to last aesthetically and environmentally.
According to NFW Creative Director Brian Kihindas, the goal is continuity, not spectacle.
“Decarbonize speaks to our belief that fashion must become more intentional. This season deepens the conversation around slowing down, valuing craft, and designing responsibly without losing creativity,” he said.
Kenyan and International Designers Headline Season 8
This year’s lineup features a carefully curated mix of local and global designers, reinforcing Nairobi Fashion Week’s role as a connector between African creativity and the international fashion ecosystem.
International designers include:
- Naaniya (France) – blending Malian heritage textiles with minimalist design
- Yevaàna (Sri Lanka / Nairobi-based) – texture-driven, slow fashion rooted in mindful craftsmanship
- Wanni Fuga (Nigeria) – bold prints and refined silhouettes grounded in cultural identity
- Bizarre Savage Couture (Germany) – avant-garde couture with experimental forms
- Aci Nod (USA) – conceptual fashion pushing expressive boundaries
Kenyan designers showcased include:
- Maisha by Nisria – known for upcycled textiles and zero-waste design
- Studio Lola – minimalist tailoring and contemporary womenswear
- VAST – sculptural silhouettes and architectural cuts using artisanal materials
- Molivian – modern womenswear enriched with handcrafted detail
- A Touch of Kenya and Kitu Kidzo – brands that weave heritage, storytelling, and cultural identity into fashion
Together, these designers create a global conversation rooted in craft, innovation, and sustainability.
Beyond the Runway: Panels, Retail, and Industry Dialogue
Nairobi Fashion Week 2026 goes beyond catwalk presentations. Over four days, the event will feature:
- Runway shows highlighting ready-to-wear, sustainable luxury, and experimental fashion
- Panel discussions on sustainability, circular fashion, and the future of African design
- Retail and marketplace experiences where designers engage directly with audiences
- Industry networking connecting designers, buyers, media, and creative professionals
This format allows fashion to function not just as spectacle, but as commerce, conversation, and cultural exchange.
Nairobi’s Rise as Africa’s Sustainable Fashion Capital
As global fashion accelerates toward climate-conscious innovation, Nairobi is emerging as a leading African city for low-carbon, ethical fashion.
A growing community of designers, artisans, stylists, and consumers has positioned the city as a hub where sustainability is not optional; it’s embedded in creative practice.
Nairobi Fashion Week has played a central role in that rise, offering visibility to designers working with upcycling, slow fashion, regenerative materials, and community-driven craftsmanship.
Season 8 reinforces this direction, signalling that Nairobi is not following global fashion capitals; it is setting its own pace.
A Measured, Intentional Future for African Fashion
Rather than chasing fast growth or trends, Nairobi Fashion Week continues to prioritise continuity, intention, and long-term impact. Season 8 reflects a confident step forward, one grounded in African heritage, global collaboration, and responsibility to the planet.
As Nairobi prepares to host designers, creatives, and fashion lovers from around the world this January, one message is clear: African fashion’s future is conscious, creative, and deeply connected to craft.
