Wandia Gichuru, the renowned Kenyan fashion designer, has recently earned a significant accolade by being named to Forbes' prestigious "50 Over 50" list.
This global recognition highlights individuals over 50 who have made impactful contributions to their industries, and Gichuru's inclusion is a testament to her influence in both the fashion and business worlds.
Breaking the news on her socials while thanking everyone who has been there in the journey, she posted, "It is a HUGE honour - and I am also very much aware that the only reason for this recognition is the important work that Vivo and Shop Zetu are doing and the impact we are having in the African fashion industry and beyond. This impact is only possible because of EVERYONE that plays a part in our wider ecosystem."
As the Co-Founder and CEO of Vivo Fashion Group, Gichuru has seamlessly integrated African fashion into the international market.
Before venturing into the fashion world, she spent over 15 years as an international development advisor. But she always knew that she wanted to make a difference back home.
When she turned 40, she left her successful career to pursue her true passion for fashion. Together with a colleague, she launched an online retail platform in Kenya that eventually evolved into Vivo Fashion Group, a leading women's apparel brand in East Africa.
From a single store in Nairobi, Vivo Activewear grew to include Vivo Woman, Safari and Zoya, curated to resonate with the contemporary African renowned for fusing style, comfort, functionality, and affordability.
According to Forbes, in an earlier interview, Wandia says their vision for Vivo Fashion group is to see Africa dress herself as well as Africa dress the world.
Vivo founded by Wandia Gichuru and Anne Marie Burugu in 2011 has become a household name to a point that they became East Africa's largest ladies fashion brand, designing and manufacturing 100% on the African continent. More importantly they aim to inspire a whole generation of African fashion entrepreneurs.
Her vision has always been to position African fashion as a global player. Under her leadership, Vivo has expanded into Rwanda, Uganda, and the United States, with plans for further growth.
The growth has seen her company employ more than 500 staff and has a customer base of over 100,000 customers.
"There are many days when it is hard to see the impact we are having. But today isn't going to be one of those days! Today we are going to let ourselves be both proud of and grateful for whatever strides we are making, even as we aim to keep learning and keep improving," she said.
