Kenyan style to hit Oz shores

East African apparel company Kikoy, which produces a range of top end beach wear and accessories, is promoting its collection to Australian retailers for the first time.
Kikoy managing director Kim McKenzie will visit Australia next month to sell the collection which is made from high quality Kenyan cotton and designed and manufactured at the company's headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
"I dare say there isn't a true African product that really helps the African market, on sale in Australia," he said. "We really are offering the Australian market something different."
The brand's core product is the Kikoy - a sarong-like garment worn on the East African Coast.
"We weave our Kikoys from the finest cotton from this region using modern colourfast dyes and taking inspiration from traditional designs," explained McKenzie.
"The knotting around the edges is done at our factory by a local self help women's group and the quality is very good."
The Kikoy collection, which is designed by McKenzie's partner Julia Doig caters to men, women and children of all ages. It also comprises Peponi cropped, full-length trousers and shorts, Maraldi trousers (with fringed/knotted edges), t-shirts, the Moto skirt, robes, tunic tops, kaftans, and cover-ups as well as bags, hats, towels and beaded wooden sarong clips. Kikoy also recently introduced basic homewares such as pillows and throws. Colours span several vibrant traditional Kenyan hues as well as softer pastels.
McKenzie emphasised that quality control was top priority and that his workforce was "well looked after".
"This is no sweatshop," he said. "Our staff are paid well and work in a pleasant environment surrounded by half an acre of grassy land. To help Africa, you have to invest in the country and the people. The women who do our beading for example, also take part in a literacy class at the same time."
Kikoy is already sold in Kenya, the UK, the US, Europe, South America and Lebanon.
McKenzie said Melbourne-based swimwear retail chain Swimwear Galore had already expressed interest in buying the range after visiting Kikoy's stand at the recent Lyon Mode City swimwear and lingerie trade fair.