Kinabuti is a Nigerian based Fashion Label created by Caterina Bortolussi, an Italian designer and entrepreneur who has lived in Lagos for the past six years. Caterina has drawn from her inspirations and past experiences to shape the Kinabuti Label into what it is: an ethically driven collection that fusions elements of Africa’s vibrantly colored traditional clothing with the eclectic spirit of European contemporary design.
In producing the Kinabuti Brand we use fabrics and trimmings that are sourced globally, enabling us to bring together different international colours, designs and viewpoints in beautiful harmonious cloths which of themselves embody the spirit of Kinabuti. The spirit of Kinabuti is the melding together of global inspiration, design and production for the greater good of our community
Ever since it’s unveiling during the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Kinabuti has been committed to using fashion as a vehicle to empower the Nigerian young generation through the development of vocational skills and new job opportunities.
In Our Ghetto, an initiative launched by Kinabuti Lab, the non-profit arm and driving force of the company, is an example of the way they operate. “I didn’t want to work with professional models -says the designer-. Work wise it could be easier because they have the experience but I’ve been living in Nigeria for the past six years and have always been surprised by the striking beauty and posture of the Nigerian women. So why not give them the opportunity they deserve?”
In Our Ghetto, an initiative launched by Kinabuti Lab, the non-profit arm and driving force of the company, is an example of the way they operate. “I didn’t want to work with professional models -says the designer-. Work wise it could be easier because they have the experience but I’ve been living in Nigeria for the past six years and have always been surprised by the striking beauty and posture of the Nigerian women. So why not give them the opportunity they deserve?”
In Our Ghetto project proved to be a success. Prior to the first Fashion Show, Kinabuti Lab went into the communities of Bundu Waterside, Eleme, Marine Base Waterside and Igbikisikalama in Port Harcourt, and from one hundred and sixty participants selected twenty two girls who were trained by professionals in the skills of make-up, hairstyling, walking and the other elements needed to give them a deep understanding of the modelling profession, so that they could put it into practice during the Fashion Show and hopefully onwards developing professional modelling careers.
The initiative was so contagious that several celebrities such as Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Eku Edewor, Nneka Egbuna and Duncan Mighty participated either in the Fashion Show or the concert held in the community of Bundu Waterside
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