What journey led you to create SOKO Kenya?
From a young age, I was drawn to the intersection of fashion and social impact. I studied development economics and later fashion and textiles, always questioning whether fashion could be a vehicle for poverty reduction. After working in the fashion industry in London, I travelled to Kenya with the Ethical Fashion Forum, and something just clicked — the vibrancy, the people, the energy. I fell in love with it. That trip planted a seed, and in 2009, I moved to Kenya to set up a clothing factory that prioritised people and the planet.
Why Kenya specifically?
That first visit really opened my eyes to both the skill and the opportunity here. At the time, there weren’t many options for brands looking to manufacture responsibly at scale, so the goal was to build something different. Kenya felt full of possibility and I knew this was where I wanted to build something that could have a real, lasting impact.
You founded SOKO Kenya in 2009 – do you feel like you’ve seen industry progress?
When we started, ethical manufacturing felt like a new conversation. Now, it’s on the radar of so many more brands which is a huge shift. There’s still a long way to go, especially in terms of transparency and actual practice, but we are seeing a mindset change, and the more the industry moves towards purpose-led partnerships, the more positive impact we can create together.
What challenges have you faced as a business?
There have been many! Access to funding and visibility has always been a challenge. In the early days, I was turned down for a grant I had banked everything on. I’d already left my job and rented my flat out. But that moment of vulnerability sparked something even more meaningful and friends rallied around and helped me raise money to get things off the ground. Growing the business without financial backing meant we had to be creative and resourceful with every decision we made.
What has been your SOKO Kenya career highlight?
I was recently honoured as First Runner-Up for the Women in Manufacturing ESG Warrior Award at the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. We’ve quietly been doing our thing for 16 years in rural Kenya, so to be recognised on that kind of platform was incredibly meaningful.
What’s your favourite SOKO Kenya success story?
The time Michelle Obama wore one of our garments was pretty surreal and amazing for the team to see too! But honestly, the biggest highlights are often the smaller, everyday moments like watching our team grow and thrive, seeing graduates from our training programme secure jobs, and introducing a backdated private pension scheme for all our employees. I didn’t want our commitment to end at the factory door, I wanted to help ensure financial security even in retirement, so no one falls back into poverty.
What’s your favourite detail from this collaboration?
We’re thrilled to collaborate with Hayley Menzies, our values align perfectly, and the Luna hand-loomed pieces are so beautiful and versatile. We love the story behind them, the skilled artisans who brought them to life. These pieces are a true celebration of artistry, people, and purpose.
What 3 things do you look for before investing in a piece of clothing? I tend to focus on three things: who made it and under what conditions, its longevity through timeless design and quality fabric, and whether it sparks joy, it has to feel good to wear.
How can we make a difference every day?
Start small and be consistent. Ask questions about where your clothes come from. Support brands that align with your values and celebrate progress, not perfection.
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