This 25-year-old quit full time employment to run his own fashion line

By Sheila Kimani (@sheilakimm)

Name: Dennis Kaweru

Design line: LaGiacca Fashion

Overtime, fashion in Kenya is becoming a worthwhile venture that has seen many fashion lovers transform their passions to profits. Most people who love fashion and design now have a place to showcase their wares and get clients, with social media playing a vitally progressive role to the industry.

But hardly will you find people quitting good jobs to pursue careers fashion in the fashion realm. Most of them will double up their work with fashion as a side job.

Well, Dennis Kaweru, aged 25, defied the odds and quit his job in one of Kenya’s renowned banks, went ahead to devote his time and grow his La Giacca fashion. But it has not been without challenges.

What challenges have you faced in you quest to make a name in the Kenyan fashion scene?

Tailor phobic – Kenyans who’ve faced horrific experiences at the hands of fundi's are hard to convince, thus gaining the client’s trust and confidence in our custom made suits was such a big deal. But that aside Access to capital to expand was another hurdle that I encountered.

What do you feel needs to change in the Kenyan fashion scene?

Men should embrace bright colors and get out of their comfort zones, gone are the days of conservatively adorning dark colors. Then ladies should avoid the "Me-too" trends and define their personal styles.

We have designs getting launched one day, and in a few weeks it becomes the "Kenya uniform". People should be creative, and avoid the herd mentality.

How would you describe your fashion sense?

I would say modern, realistic and uniquely trendy. What has been your favorite Fashion trend so far? Color blocking broken suits wins for me, because they look great when paired together and I can't get enough of the look

What is fashion to you?

Fashion is a mode of communication, a means to express myself and an extension of my personality Is your love and interest for fashion a hobby or a fulltime job?

I quit a 4 year corporate Banking career to concentrate on growing LaGaicca. Honestly, to me Fashion is everything.

Your favourite local designs would be from?

John Kaveke. Because, He put Kenyan male-apparel designers on the international map. Advice in regards to fashion that you'd give an aspiring fashion designer?

Find a niche market, do a study and understand its needs, then, focus on meeting these needs profitably. That’s the first step.