With a social media tagline that reads: “Beautiful essentials that have greater meaning and purpose in people’s lives”, this brand has a clear focus. Katungulu Mwendwa’s latest Katush Nairobi collection, Black Bird A Kanga | Obsidian Dawn, is a sartorial ode to her hometown of Kitui, Kenya, where her affinity for craftsmanship first took root in her grandmother’s workshop. This Spring/Summer 2025 collection tells the story of long weekends surrounded by family, and creative experimentation in pottery and weaving—profound influences on Mwendwa’s path.
Led by designer Katungulu Mwendwa, Katush Nairobi, explores African and female identity through a blend of innovation and tradition. With a father who was a bass-playing architect and a plant-loving mother, her early exposure to the craftsmanship of Akamba artisans in her grandmother’s curio shop fueled her passion for design. Her background propelled her to the United Kingdom, where she earned a BA in Fashion Design from the University of Creative Arts, honing her skills and inspiring her to launch her own fashion line.
Since then, her brand has continued to rise from strength to strength and change the fashion landscape. Katush has gained international recognition, showcasing work at prestigious events in cities such as Paris, New York, Portugal, Lagos, and Mozambique Fashion Week. Recently, the brand was chosen as one of three participants in the Ethical Fashion Initiative’s Kenya Accelerator Program and has exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London as part of the Africa Fashion exhibition, as well as at the Brooklyn Museum in New York.
Black Bird A Kanga | Obsidian Dawn is inspired by an old Kamba folktale, as documented in the 1930s by Gerhard Lindblom, which explores the nuanced relationship between the guinea fowl and the chicken. With playful volumes, soft rounded structures, and distinctly feminine silhouettes, Mwendwa reimagines these nostalgic tales into vibrant colors and patterns. The designs are grounded in locally sourced cotton, handwoven and milled in East Africa, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.
Mwendwa’s homage transcends superficial aesthetics; it’s an exploration of heritage and community. The collection features the all important claw-shaped accessories made of gold-plated brass—a bold assertion element that reflects an attempt to center and affirm Kenyan culture. Additionally, this collection pays tribute to Josephine, a Kitui-based artisan and a cherished friend of Mwendwa’s grandmother, whose touching adage, “The future of the world depends on building strong communities,” influenced Mwendwa to no end.
At the core of Black Bird A Kanga | Obsidian Dawn is a commitment to honoring the past while envisioning a future where fashion bridges tradition and innovation. Katush offers versatile, high-quality designs for the modern, self-aware global citizen, who is conceivably invested in the extensive cultural research that reinterprets historical African practices for today’s context. With a focus on sustainability and supporting local artisans, this editorial campaign is both timeless and avant-garde, proving the prowess of African design.
Production Team
– Creative Director: Katungulu Mwendwa
– Director & Stylist: Dalton Odiyo
– Photography: Emmanuel Jambo
– Cast: Daniel Ajang & Agnetta Asira
– Set Assistants: Alex Wanjohi, Mukami Mugambi, Wairimu Gitonga
