Kenyatta University student Margaret Nashipae has emerged the winner of the inaugural RE: IMAGINED fashion show, beating 14 other emerging designers in a competition centred on sustainable fashion and textile recycling.
Nashipae was announced the winner at an event held at The Alchemist in Westlands, Nairobi, where designers showcased original collections created using textile production remnants and second-hand materials.
Juliet Wangeci finished second, while Malika Namiba took third place.
The competition was organised through a collaboration involving Kenyatta University, the Estonian Academy of Arts, SEI Tallinn and Africa Collect Textiles, with support from the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV).
It forms part of the Nairobi Circular Design Hub, an initiative seeking to nurture emerging Kenyan fashion talent while promoting environmentally conscious approaches to clothing production.
Speaking after her win, Nashipae said the recognition marked the culmination of six months of learning, experimentation and collaboration with fellow designers.
“Winning feels incredibly meaningful to me. Beyond the recognition, it celebrates six months of learning, experimenting and growing alongside 14 other designers,” she said.
She added that working alongside other participants had strengthened her confidence in the possibilities of circular fashion and sustainable design.
“Creativity thrives when we learn and grow together. I am deeply grateful for this recognition and encouraged to keep pushing boundaries through upcycling and sustainable design,” she said.
