Where the picky find what to wear

There are Kenyans, both men and women, who make sure they step out in style every time they are in public.

From the clothes, suits, shoes and handbags they carry, it is obvious that these are people who know what it takes to turn heads. No matter what they wear, you can see that it was chosen with great care and some of the outfits are not cheap at all. But just where do they buy their clothes?

Designer names like Brioni have been associated with James Bond actors Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan both on and off screen. Even US President Barrack Obama loves to look sharp and is often seen spotting the label.

But Brioni is now readily available in local stores alongside other haute couture names like Pierre Cardin, Hugo Boss, Ermenegildo Zegna, Canali, Diesel, Prada, Chanel, Levi, Converse and others.

The local shops sporting these labels have eye-catching mannequins on their display windows and they do not just display individual pieces of clothing, but complete outfits.

“We do not just sell clothes, we sell outfits,” says Aziz Fazal, director of Little Red.

“Each event and occasion should have the correct outfit for it, which includes the bags and the shoes,” he adds.

According to Kwame Bonsu, the store manager for Factory55, even the presentation of the shop must be professional.

“Our customers are people who are well travelled, people who know what a good designer label is and because they cannot travel out all the time just to shop, we decided to bring the merchandise here.

Such people will want the same standards they are used to out there and that is why we have people designing our shop layout as well as for maximum effect.”

“Shopping is an experience,” says Kwame.

“Notice the upbeat music and the lights? It is supposed to create the feeling of a laid back and fun experience, almost like you are in an exclusive club,” he adds.

From slow jazz tunes to up tempo music or the silence characterised by the soft humming of the air conditioner, each of the stores we visited has a different ambience, specially targeted at the clientele they are looking for.

A cup of coffee, tea or a cold beverage is offered as you browse through the well-spaced and organised stores.

Brands @Big Daddy, Factory55 and Little Red are some that organise each section, depending on the brand.