Meet Johari’s Guest Designer

London-based Julia Smith is a women’s-wear designer who cares where clothes come from. In 2006 Julia completed an MA at the London College of Fashion, where she specialised in sustainability. She was then invited to work for Alberta Ferretti in Italy for 1 year. After which she headed to Ghana to work on a fair-trade design project, with women’s co-operative Global Mamas and Topshop. Julia then continued to work with Marian Essel, a highly skilled batik printer in Ghana and they formed a co-operative where her designs are printed and produced for the commercial brand ‘Julia Smith Made in Africa’. Working with Marian, Global Mamas and Topshop has helped introduce fashion made in developing communities in Africa, to the UK high street. Julia has been able to pass on some of her design skills and market awareness to the people she has worked with in Ghana and also through Marian help sponsor local children to go to school.

Julia designed a Spring/Summer 2011 collection for Johari and more recently has designed a 'A Bugs Life'; the collection for Spring/Summer 2012. Working with Johari Designs in Nairobi the collaboration has produced a fantastic selection of separates and dresses. The collections are being sold through retailers in the UK and online websites. Profits from the sale of Julia Smith at Johari will help to support children on the Johari Foundation’s Miale Programmes with their educational, social and basic needs.

Julia says “I am committed to working with small, community based businesses both at home in the UK and internationally I want to encourage people to consider where their clothing comes from and know that their purchases are making a positive impact on the lives of others. I’m out to prove that ethical fashion can maintain the cool aesthetics of fashion”.

Sneak Peak at Spring/Summer 2012 Collection:

Spring/Summer 2011 Collection:

Meet the Johari girls, showing-off their design flair

Jani Necklace

Mary Sinaida

Mary Wavinya

The beautiful Jani Necklace was evolved from a simple idea by Mary Sinaida one of the empolyees at Johari Designs. Mary's creative piece was inspired by leaves and the finer detail of the jewellery was created by colleague Mary Wavinya.

Mary Sinaida came up with the idea during a regular brain storming session with the Johari Designs girls when they are asked to suggest new ideas to add to the Johari collections. The production manager, Lydia Khalumi regularly involves the girls in idea generation and concept development of new designs. This is an exciting activity that helps the girls to improve their creativity skills as well as build up on their overall design and production expertise.

Mary Sinaida first came up with the design on paper which the production manager approved. Her first prototype consisted of leaf-like pieces made out of brass joined together with brass rings. The sample was beautiful and appealed to the rest of the Johari Designs team and then Mary Wavinya suggested adding line detail to the leaves. This fine detail by Mary Wavinya really enhances the natural leaf design.

Mary Mwihaki

The Jani necklace along with other Johari jewellery was first featured in the Africa in Motion/Noir Fashion Show in Scotland, November 2010.

Look out for it in the Johari Shop!

In September 2011 the Johari girls were tasked with designing Napkin Rings for the new Johari at Home range. This intricate Napkin Ring was designed and expertly crafted by Mary Mwihaki. Mary is 22 years old and has been working at Johari designs for four years and works mainly on jewellery production. The Napkin Ring is now available to buy as part of the Johari at Home range.

Napkin Ring