Creativity from Kibera: Avido presents fashion and film in Cologne!

Creativity from Kibera: Avido presents fashion and film in Cologne!

Kibera, Kenia - in Cologne there will soon be an exciting insight into the creative world of Kibera, one of the largest slums in Africa. David "Avido" Ochieng, a talented fashion designer from this district in Nairobi, will show a film documentary about the Kibera Fashion Week on Sunday, June 29th, and Thursday, July 3. The event takes place in cooperation with the Global South Studies Center from the University of Cologne and the Pambazuka Swahili Kultur association. Entry to both events is free. Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reports that the event offers an excellent opportunity to learn more about the creative talents of the residents of Kiberas.

kibera is characterized by garbage and well-filled corrugated iron huts, which is often denied to many people a view of the tireless creativity of the people living there. Avido wants to offer the residents a stage with the Kibera Fashion Week, which is taking place for the second time, to develop their talents. The motto of the Fashion Week is derived from sustainability and inclusiveness and traditionally shows Kenyan influences that are combined with western styles. taz indicates that the last event took place on railway tracks and attracted over 1,000 visitors, many of them from Kibera itself.

The inspiration behind Avidos Design

avido, which founded his fashion label "Looklikeavido" in a one-room apartment in Kibera, combines traditional African print patterns with modern streetwear elements. He also became known for his singer-songwriter colleagues who wear his clothes-including celebrities such as Bruno Mars, Beyoncé and also the reggae scenes chronixx and popcaan. Powers of Africa emphasizes that Avidos dresses in Kibera are produced and the cultural scene enrich there.

his career was anything but easy. Growing up in a disadvantaged environment as the oldest of four children, Avido had to stop school early on and looked for paths to break out of the vicious circle of poverty. He made his first attempts at sewing in a dance group, but the real turn came when an NGO employee conveyed his first sewing machine to him.

events and workshops

After the film screening on June 29, a workshop with Avido on the subject of "creativity and inspiration" takes place. Here the participants can learn from their experiences and his creative approach. On July 3, after the film presentation there will be a discussion round with Avido and other guests who offer deeper insights into the fashion world as well as the challenges and opportunities of Kibera.

With the aim of strengthening self -confidence through fashion and creativity, the Kibera Fashion Week offers a platform for aspiring designers, which emphasize cultural identity and sustainability in fashion production in its collections. Avido's motto, "Big things can arise from places where you can least expect it" is not only a guiding principle, but also an inspiration for many who are looking for their way in the fashion industry.

The commitment of Avidos, not only in the fashion sector, but also with his Avido Foundation, which supports the fight against child poverty and offers sewing courses, shows that there is also hope and support in Kibera. The combination of creative design and social responsibility ensures Avido's place as a pioneer of fashion and inspiration for future generations.