Meet Avido, a talented designer whose roots in Kibera, Kenya’s largest urban slum, have blossomed into a global fashion phenomenon. His creations have captured the attention of stars like Beyonce and Bruno Mars, securing a coveted spot in the pages of Vogue magazine.
Avido’s designs serve a dual purpose. They not only spotlight the creative potential thriving in Nairobi’s impoverished neighborhoods but also strive to make his community a better place.
In 2022, this 27-year-old visionary launched Kibera Fashion Week, and recently, its second edition graced the heart of the sprawling slum.
Avido, also known as David Ochieng, draws inspiration from his incredible journey, epitomized by his motto: «Great things can come from places least expected.»
Growing up as the eldest of four children raised by a single mother in Kibera, Avido never envisioned a career in fashion. His initial motivation was to escape the challenges of life on the streets, as many of his childhood friends had fallen victim to crime or drugs.
Forced to leave school at just 11 years old due to financial constraints, he embarked on a journey to avoid trouble. He started with football and later took on work in construction. Eventually, he joined a dance troupe and began designing outfits for the dancers.
«I started spending time with the tailors that were sewing the clothes that we were dancing with,» he said. «I learned sewing even without knowing.»
He continued to develop his skills and eventually trained as a fashion designer, showing a remarkable level of determination and resilience.
One fateful encounter with Jamaican singer Don Carlos, founder of reggae group Black Uhuru, during a visit to Kibera in 2017 changed the course of Avido’s life. Avido offered him a shirt, and this led to his decision to dedicate himself to fashion.
Under the label «Lookslike Avido,» he developed a unique, colorful, and gender-neutral style, blending various patterns and textures, including the vibrant African wax fabric known as ankara, and velvet used in his kimonos and bomber jackets.
Unlike many fashion designers, Avido finds inspiration not on the international catwalks but on the streets of Kibera, where he believes «everything» can be found.
One of his signature pieces, a conical basket hat inspired by his grandmother’s woven basket turned upside down, reflects the fusion of tradition and innovation in his creations.
Avido’s unique style has attracted recognition from global icons such as Bruno Mars, Ty Dolla Sign, Chronixx, Chris Martin of Coldplay, and Beyonce, who collaborated with him and other African designers for her «Black is King» project. His work has also been featured during Berlin Fashion Week in 2019.
While Avido has achieved international acclaim, he remains firmly rooted in Kibera, where all his clothing is produced. He emphasizes the importance of giving back to his community and has set up the Avido Foundation, which supports Kibera’s young women, pays school fees for some pupils, and teaches sewing to young mothers and deaf women.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he produced thousands of masks to be distributed free of charge, emphasizing that «fashion is not just about making clothes, but it’s a platform to be able to make our community a better place.»
Despite his global success, Avido has no intentions of leaving his native slum. He believes in growth with a purpose and is committed to inspiring and uplifting those in Kibera through his remarkable journey in the world of fashion.