A new crop of young designers was unveiled today at a fashion event featuring clothing made by trainees in the Fashion Expressions: The Story She Wears project, an initiative of UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, and Prada Group. Eleven young women selected from disadvantaged backgrounds underwent training and mentorship under leading fashion designers in Kenya, to build their skills in fashion design and production, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.

The young women showcased their designs during a fashion show held in Nairobi, under the theme “Inclusive Designs, Creating Opportunities.” Walking the runway were talented models drawn from Nairobi’s largest informal settlement of Kibera, in a show that sought to embrace diversity and inclusion in fashion.

The “Fashion Expressions: The Stories She Wears” project brings together the Prada Group’s leading role in the fashion industry, and UNFPA’s expertise in promoting gender equality, in a unique and innovative partnership that is designed to empower young women from underprivileged backgrounds with the knowledge and skills required to establish a career in the fashion industry.

In Kenya, the implementation of the project has been done by UNFPA in collaboration with the County Government of Kitui through the Kitui County Textile Centre (KICOTEC), and Kenya Red Cross Society. 15 young women drawn from underprivileged backgrounds were selected to undertake nine months of training at KICOTEC, with a focus on fashion concepts as well as entrepreneurship and marketing. 11 trainees further took part in internships at four fashion houses in Nairobi. Under the pupilage of leading Kenyan designers Carole Kinoti, Peggy Onyango, Neomi Nganga, and Elizabeth Njoroge, the trainees have been introduced to the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to establish a career in fashion.

“Despite some important progress made, women are yet to achieve economic equality with men,” said UNFPA Representative Anders Thomsen. “At the heart of this project is our shared commitment to tackle poverty and gender inequalities that hold women and girls back from unlocking their full potential.”

Addressing participants via video, Prada Group Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer Malika Savell congratulated the young women for the accomplishments achieved during the program. “Your unique talents, hard work, and dedication have inspired many. We are proud to see your evolution,” she said.

The “Fashion Expressions: The Stories She Wears,” project aims to leverage the social and economic power of fashion as a vehicle to promote women’s empowerment and sexual and reproductive health in a 12-month training program for young women in Ghana and Kenya. In both countries, participants have overcome tremendous challenges including early and child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and school drop-outs due to a lack of fees.

Reflecting on her journey as a project trainee, 25 year-old Roselyn Mulewa noted that the experience has empowered her to embark on a new career and build a life for herself and her child. "I am not the same person I was when I started my training. I feel confident in my skills as a fashion designer and will use them to earn an income and empower at least 20 young women in my community," she said.