PHOTOS: East African designers shine at Kisumu fashion week

Top East African designers were honoured during the East Africa International Fashion Week held in Kisumu, bringing together fashion creatives from across the region to showcase their latest collections.

The event, hosted by Kenyan international runway model, author and CEO Eleshia Ais, saw several designers receive top awards.

Zarabi Fashion House was named East Africa International Fashion Designer of the Year, taking the event's top prize.

Phally Designs won the Elegance Fashion Designer of the Year award, while Slyvee Creative was named Creative Fashion Designer of the Year for its innovative concepts and designs.

Established by Ais in 2019, the East Africa International Fashion Week aims to promote East African culture while creating opportunities for emerging designers and models to showcase their work, build networks and gain industry exposure.

This year's event marked the first time the fashion week was held in Kisumu.

Runway showcases were heavily attended, perhaps a testament to the growing interest in the city's creative industry.

Models presented collections that blended East African cultural influences with contemporary fashion trends, highlighting the region's diverse design talent.

Since its inception, the East Africa International Fashion Week has grown into a platform for networking, brand development and talent discovery as East Africa's fashion industry continues to expand.