00:00Mass production is quickly changing the fashion industry, with environmentalists warning about
00:05the impact on the planet.
00:07However in Nairobi, one young designer is refusing to follow current production trends.
00:13Instead, he's turning back to a traditional craft.
00:16The founder of Makabwa Studios, Hilary Makabwa, uses handlooms to create clothes and fabrics.
00:28This is where authenticity lives, and from that we get to know our roots, know what we
00:36used to do, and getting to have unique items that are identified to us.
00:46He views the handlooms as a way to keep Kenya's cultural heritage alive.
01:00The difference between the handlooms and the electric machines is that these handlooms,
01:09first of all, they are traditional, so you find that they carry a story.
01:17It's a piece of art.
01:19You know, rather than producing masses, they produce with meaning.
01:25Clients say they find the clothes more interesting than what's available on the high street due
01:29to their individuality.
01:32Unlike the majority of high street clothing, most of the pieces made by Makabwa are bespoke.
01:40They like the clothes because one of their quality, because they are pure organic cotton, and they
01:49are unique.
01:50Most of them, you can see their unique pieces.
01:52So, I think I'll still choose the weaving, how they are made because of the efforts you
02:02can see people do to get the product, the end result of the product.
02:06Hillary now hopes to take his clothes beyond Kenya, while keeping the looms as part of the process.
