Kenya: Trendz Kenya Fashion Festival Rocks

Kenya: Trendz Kenya Fashion Festival Rocks

Nairobi has the potential of becoming the next Milan, New York or London runway for fashion brands both local and international.

This is what I witnessed at my first fashion show coverage of the Trendz Kenya Fashion Festival on Saturday. It was organised by Just Like That at the Tribe Hotel in Nairobi. Alisha Popat was articulate and entertaining as the host of the night as she smoothly took the audience from one fashion brand to the next and mixed it up with her songs and fun time with games which included a Yummy Mummy competition. The winner walked away with a Samsung TV.

The models were a mix of sexy men and stunning women with a surprise walk from former Miss India Kenya winner Pooja Karia who stepped on to the runway with Mumbai fashion star Anita Dongre's designs. Anita's work was crisp, clean and elegant. Fashion designer John Kaveke was at his best while Niku Channa's accessories were gorgeous. South Africa's Paledi Segapo was a show-stopper when his male models came on to the ramp with nothing but their blue and red briefs. Crown Paints showcased their colors on white fabric draped like Greek goddesses on the ladies. Kenya's Sonu Sharma and Jamil Walji and Tanzania's Ally Rehmtullah also took part in the fashion show. Sonu Sharma and Sanjeev Sharma made all this happen.

Indian poet Surjit Patar impresses in Nairobi

Very few poets in India have had the honour of being recognised by their countrymen and bestowed the highest achievement such as the Padma Shri Award in the field of literature and education. One of them is Surjit Patar. The young team of iSikh set up an evening of poetry, music and a one-on-one with Surjit Patar on Sunday at the Oshwal Centre Auditorium in Nairobi. This event was to drive a fund raiser for the iSikh youth camp due next month.

It was hosted by East FM presenter Parveen Adam and in the music section was the talent of Eddie Gray on guitar/percussion, famous Kirit Pattni on flute, Pritam Virdee on table/percussion and Upkar Singh leading the team. Surjit Patar shared anecdotes of his childhood, relationship with his brother Upkar, memorable and breakthrough moments as a poet, appreciation to his wife Bhupinder and love to his children and fans that had gathered to enjoy the evening. There were several surprise and impromptu performances. Upkar Singh launched his Labour of Love album and he was honoured by the presence of the famous Ustad Bashir Bhatt.

Retelling the great Lord Ram and Sita love story

The story of Lord Ram and his wife Sita's abduction has been told for many years as an example of not only eternal love between a husband and wife but also a fight of good versus evil. When Lord Ram went into exile he persuaded his wife Sita not to join him, but she did not give in and accompanied him on the 14 years of hardship. It was at this time that the evil King Ravana abducted Sita and there was a legendary duel that happened between Ravana and Ram. The school of Indian Classical Dance Nrityalaya run by Gita Umesh presented a lovely evening show dubbed 'Saints, Legends and Heroines' on Saturday at the Oshwal High School in Nairobi. As I walked into the auditorium, I was greeted by an attentive audience listening to the narration of the story that was about to unfold in the form of dance and there was the incense sweet smell to remind you of the prayer homage paid before such a performance. It was nothing short of expression, classical dance moves and a beautiful story to tell.

UoN's Usha group meets at Oshwal Centre

Away from books and lectures, University of Nairobi students of Asian descent converged on Saturday at the Oshwal Centre's Auditorium. The students have a group known as USHA (University of Nairobi Asian) which holds various events especially to raise funds for charity. From their last year's events, the contributions went to the Paediatric Cancer Ward at the Kenyatta National Hospital and initial support for Bethsaida Old Age Home, Kitengela. This time it was for providing a long lasting solution for the home. The plans include installing an eco-friendly and cost effective water heating for the home. Their commitment to Kenyatta National Hospital remains in trying to make the wards have a better sanitation system. The mood was cheerful and included a mix of students, parents and the professors.