CHiCHiA Is Where East Africa Meets London

Remember Lupita Nyong’o’s Nairobi Blue that she wore during the Golden Globes Awards? The one that got everyone talking? It turns out that the dress isn’t the only spectacular element of East Africa on the world’s fashion map. London based fashion label CHiCHiA is putting the region on the map with their East African influenced designs.

Maua Dress

CHiCHiA is like a breath of fresh air in the hustle and bustle of London’s busy streets. The fashion label uses bright vibrant colors to represent the sun, earth, happiness and carefree nature of East Africa. The ready to wear clothes are made using khanga fabric in Tanzania and reflect the label’s motto “East Africa meets London Cool…”. Did we mention that the clothing comes with Swahili names.? How cool is that? So cool celebrities like Beyonce are wearing the label.

Upendo Printed Tee

Pepea Shirt Dress

CHiCHiA clothing includes skirts, pants, shorts and dresses which adapt the traditional East African use of the khanga as a wrap around the waist and the torso.

Mistari

Zunguka Coat

CHiCHiA is the brainchild of Tanzanian born Christine Mhando. The London based designer named her clothing line CHiCHiA after her childhood nickname. The talented designer graduated from Kent University in 2002 with an honors degree before working for high-end designers, brands and suppliers for the high-street crowd, and finally starting her own clothing line.

Designer Christine Mhando (Right)

Ever since the very first CHiCHiA collection was sold in London’s Laden Showroom, the label has gained a reputable name commercially. Some of the brand’s collections include SS14 Reminiscence, AW13 GAUNI: The Dress Project, Resort SS13 Coconut Water & Cloves, SS13 On Second Thoughts.

Wima Trousers

Sema Dress

CHiCHiA has been featured at worldwide fashion events such as Untold and Fashion Diversity in London, Copenhagen Fashion Week in 2009, Swahili Fashion Week in Dar Es Salaam in 2009 and 2010, ARISE Magazine fashion week in Lagos in 2011, ‘Africa Utopia’ at the London Southbank in 2012, British Council and British Fashion Councils’ ‘International Fashion Showcase in February 2013, Urban Outfitters BAZAAAAR Pop Up in New York in May 2013 as well as Labo Ethnik Fashion Weekend in Paris in 2013.

Ngozi Dress

Mzuka Patchwork Skirt

Extrovert Patchwork Dress

CHiCHiA East African clothing is available online and at boutiques around the world. Visit CHiCHiA to start shopping.