By the creative mind behind Zarabi Fashion Kenya
For Wallace, fashion is more than fabric, silhouette, and spectacle. It is a language—a way of expressing culture, preserving identity, and telling stories that deserve to be heard. As the creative force behind Zarabi Fashion Kenya, Wallace draws inspiration from the richness of African culture and the diverse stories woven into its identity. His approach combines contemporary design with meaningful cultural references, creating pieces that are visually striking while carrying a deeper message.
For his latest showcase, Wallace turned to Ankara, a fabric celebrated for its vibrant prints, versatility, and enduring presence in African fashion. Rather than simply presenting the fabric in its familiar form, he sought to reinterpret it through a contemporary lens—honoring its cultural significance while exploring its possibilities in modern fashion.
At the heart of the collection was an unexpected yet powerful muse: the elephant.
More than an aesthetic motif, the elephant became a symbol of Africa itself—its strength, resilience, beauty, and the responsibility to protect its natural heritage. Its presence within the collection also drew attention to the continuing threat of wildlife poaching and the urgent need for conservation.
“For me, the elephant was more than a design element—it was a message.”
That message reflects Wallace’s broader philosophy: fashion has the power to do more than capture attention. It can provoke thought, spark conversations, and give visibility to issues that matter. Through Ankara, Wallace celebrated African identity. Through the elephant, he amplified a call for conservation. And through the collection as a whole, he demonstrated how fashion can become a meeting point between heritage, creativity, and purpose.
The recognition that followed the showcase made the moment even more significant. Winning the award was an honor—not only as a personal achievement, but as an affirmation of the vision behind the collection. For Wallace and Zarabi Fashion Kenya, the runway is clearly more than a place to showcase clothes. It is a platform for stories.
And this time, the story was unmistakably African.