Kenyan designer Avido, born and raised in Nairobi’s Kibera, has taken the fashion world by storm with his innovative designs.
His creations, crafted in the heart of Kibera, have caught the eye of international stars such as Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, Romain Virgo, Chronixx and Ty Dollar Sign.
Avido, whose real name is David Ochieng was initially a soccer player, then a dancer before turning to fashion.
He found his creative bone when circumstances led him away from his athletic pursuits.
A sponsored soccer player in high school, he turned to dance when the sponsorships dwindled, and eventually opted to learn a technical skill.
“After practising with local tailors doing clothing repairs, in 2015, I applied for a scholarship at the Buruburu Institute of Fine Arts,” he narrated in a previous interview.
“Hopeful, I presented a series of costumes I made. The panellists liked my work enough to select me. In a year, I learned costume design and marketing and earned a certificate in fashion design.”
Avido's journey was supported by key figures in his life. The late Ken Okoth, Member of Parliament for Kibra, gifted him a sewing machine, and a friend provided a workspace.
Dancing became the means to finance the materials needed for his tailoring shop, where he started crafting t-shirts for his dance crew.
The popularity of his designs grew, particularly with the eye-catching costumes of his dance troupe.
A pivotal moment in his career came when Avido designed clothes for his mentor, MP Okoth, who wore them to Parliament, casting the young designer into the limelight.
International collaborations followed, including work with Usain Bolt and Bruno Mars.
In 2020, Beyoncé featured Avido's creations on her Black-Owned Business Directory, 'Black is King,' earning him global recognition.
Earlier that same year, his 'LooksLike Avido' line was showcased in the international fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue Italia.
In a bid to give back to his community and redefine its image, Avido launched the Kibera Fashion Week in 2022.
The event showcases Kenya's rich and vibrant culture, featuring local artists, designers, and models.
The second edition of the Kibera Fashion Week took place on Saturday showcasing the creations of several Kenyan designers.
"Kibera is full of style," designer Avido said during the event.
"People don’t get to see it because the image they have about Kibera is post-electoral violence, prostitution, drug abuse.
“We want to show that here, we have style and creativity. What we lack here is opportunities."
