Two Kenyan fashion designers who are beneficiaries of the British Council’s Creative DNA accelerator programme are set to showcase their work at African Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2026, running from August 17 to 24.
Bettydora Odhiambo and Neema Kinoti will join emerging designers from across Africa for the showcase, with events taking place at 8 Northumberland Avenue and the British Council Headquarters in London.
Building on the success of last year’s debut partnership, this year’s showcase reaffirms the British Council’s commitment to supporting emerging African fashion talent and connecting designers with international markets.
The initiative aligns with the British Council’s vision of promoting sustainable growth by championing creative talent, expanding access to global markets and strengthening creative economy ecosystems that are locally rooted and globally connected.
Creative DNA is the British Council’s fashion initiative designed to support and strengthen Africa’s fashion ecosystem by nurturing designers’ skills, expanding their knowledge and building professional networks.
Through its partnership with AFWL, the British Council has developed an eight-day programme giving emerging African designers opportunities to explore market access pathways, connect with industry players and present their work to new audiences.
Odhiambo, who runs Nairobi-based fashion house Atieno Studio, will participate in a panel discussion on the second day of the showcase, focusing on grooming the next generation of creative talent.
Her designs are centred on contemporary resort wear, elevated summer dressing and artisanal hand-crochet.
“Creative DNA has helped me elevate my capacity to produce garments that are now eye-catching to more people than before. I am also able to transfer my acquired knowledge to the local artisans that I work closely with and increase the popularity of crochet wear,” said Odhiambo.
Kinoti, the founder of Ohana Family Wear, established the brand in 2018 and has built her designs around purpose-driven swimwear and resort wear, with a focus on cultural identity and body representation.
Her work has already attracted industry recognition, including her listing among Business Daily’s Top 40 Under 40 Women.
“I am definitely looking forward to engaging with different creatives from across Africa and beyond at African Fashion Week London. Creative DNA has played a critical role in putting me in this position that I am grateful for,” said Kinoti.
The programme will feature panel discussions covering topics including African Fashion in Education, Creativity Beyond Borders, and African Futures: Where African Design Is Going Now.
British Council Kenya Country Director Tom Porter said the programme was helping Kenyan designers reach wider international audiences.
“I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to play a role in getting the work of Kenyan designers to a wider audience. And it’s great to see the ongoing collaborations we’re part of, which demonstrate the importance and impact of connecting talent across borders,” said Porter.
He added that supporting emerging designers and helping them build sustainable fashion businesses demonstrated the potential of Africa’s creative industries.
“By supporting such designers and fostering the growth of fashion businesses, the programme showcases the vast potential of Africa’s fashion industry on the international stage,” he said.
Odhiambo and Kinoti will be joined by other Creative DNA designers from across the continent, including Adedayo Ilori of Dimeji Ilori from Nigeria, Joan Nantege of Joan Jade from Uganda, Mastewal Belay of Mastewal Alemu from Ethiopia, Maurice Niyigena of Matheo Studio from Rwanda, Chido Kaseke of Patch Maoko from Zimbabwe, Nyame-Nhyiraba Awura of Republic of Africa from Ghana, Ropafadzo Kuki Mapira of Soleil from Zimbabwe, and Solome Kiflu of Xufan from Ethiopia.
The participation of the Kenyan designers at AFWL 2026 highlights the growing efforts to position African fashion talent on global platforms while creating opportunities for designers to build networks, access new markets and develop commercially sustainable creative businesses.
