Student’s love affair with fashion design blossoms

Annesophie Achera has chosen fashion design to express and share her artistic talent with the rest of Kenyans.

“I come from a creative background of architects and designers. My cousin is an established fashion designer. Family members have played a key role in influencing my journey into fashion design,” said Ms Achera.

About to graduate from university, Ms Achera’s affair with fashion has been long.

It began during her secondary school art classes. She did tie-and- dye as well as made African sandals for her class work.

Later, her mother took her to buy her first fabrics in Nairobi’s Ngara and River Road.

With a sewing machine already at home and under her mother’s guidance, Ms Achera began to make her own clothes.

Earlier, she travelled abroad or asked friends to buy her clothes.

“I could not get artistic outfits to suit my style at Kenyan outlets,” she said.

Her first experience of the Kenyan fashion industry came three years ago when her cousin, Liz Ogumbo, a fashion designer invited her to work at her firm.

Ms Achera was put in charge of fashion shows in Kenya while Ms Ogumbo concentrated on shows held in other countries.

However, in 2010 her work life changed drastically when Ms Ogumbo migrated to South Africa and relocated her Nairobi office.

“She told me that I am talented and it was time I started my own business,” said Ms Achera.

Last year, she decided to start her own fashion label. It took a bit of soul searching to get the right name.

With the help of a friend she settled on Achera Designs. She has done a couple of shows on the new label.

Her biggest show to date was the 2011 African Fashion Fair (AFF) where she showcased 10 garments.