Founders: Kushil Lakhani, Nikul Nathwani, Amal Nathwani & Julie Munyi
Locations: Kenya & London
Where to Buy: Kickstarter Live on November 8, 2018, Website
Products I Own: N/A
Locations: Kenya & London
Where to Buy: Kickstarter Live on November 8, 2018, Website
Products I Own: N/A
Contact & Social Media
Kickstarter Campaign Launched November 8, 2018!
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Get to Know One of Kitu Kali's Founders, Kushil Lakhani:
"We use vibrant African fabrics that are sourced from all over Africa and we hand make them into comfortable smart casual shoes. Every shoe we sell has a positive impact on the local craftsmen that we work with, and on everyone involved in our supply chain." -Kushil Lakhani, One of Kitu Kali's Founders
*Pic from Kitu Kali
Two aspects I value in a fashion company: transparency and ethical standards. It is a shame that many products on large retail websites fail to mention, one, where an item is made (sometimes just using 'Imported' to cover it) and two, the sources of their raw materials (instead stating "made from high quality materials").
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Kitu Kali thankfully, is both transparent and ethical. The company started in Kenya and has expanded to London, England, which is helping them gain more exposure in the UK. All of Kitu Kali's shoes are made by shoemakers in the Kibera slums, the largest slum in Africa. (For information about Kibera and other slums click here) The shoes are made from Ankara cotton, which Kushil describes as a "vibrant fabric," and the designs are created by a local artist
The materials are sourced from the local markets in Nairobi, Kenya who import them from all over Africa. We don't want to cut out the middle men so we're impacting their lives without going straight to the big manufacturers." -Kushil
It would be easy for Kitu Kali to just order their materials in bulk but they choose to support local businesses by going every two weeks to the markets in Nairobi, Kenya. Kushil stated, "Every shoe we sell has a positive impact on the local craftsmen that we work with and on everyone involved in our supply chain."
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Each pair of shoes is handmade by a shoemaker in Kenya *Pic from Kitu Kali
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Kushil, and the rest of the Kitu Kali founders, have created a company that does business the way it should be done; ethically. They are transparent, go the extra mile when sourcing their materials, and work with local artisans instead of mass producing their goods in a factory for cheaper. Their reasons for launching a Kickstarter Campaign are not what you would read on most other profiles:
"We're launching a Kickstarter Campaign and will be using the funds for the following:
- Provide healthcare plan for Julie, Oti and David (longest running employees)
- Move into a bigger workshop
- Provide better facilities in the workshop - mainly around tables and chairs for improved comfort
- Increase the production capacity by employing 3 other craftsmen and taking them through intense training
- Create more styles by sourcing more materials from other parts of Kenya" -Kushil
Truly, a company worth supporting.
Check Out the Unique Designs Some of Kitu Kali's Shoes!
*All Pics in from Kitu Kali
All their shoe designs have inspiration behind them and the colors they use are for a specific reason. For an example, check out the Maasai shoe and read why they are constructed the way they are!
All shoes are in UK Sizes and they ship worldwide. Men and Women styles are available!
All shoes are in UK Sizes and they ship worldwide. Men and Women styles are available!
Branded By U Posts:
1.29.19
My Kickstarter Pledge, Prince Boots (chukka boot) arrived today and they are even more vibrant than they are in the pictures! I ordered them in a size 9 and they fit perfectly. The boots are definitely not what I am used to wearing, considering I have been mostly breaking in my Red Wing 8085s for the last month. Wow, what a difference! No break in needed with these guys. The upper is made from local Kenyan fabric and is very beautiful as well as comfortable. The stitching is top notch and I can find no quality control issues with my pair! The sole of the boots are ridiculously flexible yet still sturdy. They have a sort of 'bounce' to them. The wear is close to what you would find with sneakers but with more grip! Although definitely not a winter boot, I did take them for a spin outside in the cold and snow and they held up just fine. I will probably put some waterproof spray on the pair for when I get stuck in the rain.
I am most likely going to be wearing this pair of boots more in the spring and summer because of what materials they are made out of so I will do more updates then. I have been walking around my apartment with them on just because it feels like I am wearing slippers!
My Kickstarter Pledge, Prince Boots (chukka boot) arrived today and they are even more vibrant than they are in the pictures! I ordered them in a size 9 and they fit perfectly. The boots are definitely not what I am used to wearing, considering I have been mostly breaking in my Red Wing 8085s for the last month. Wow, what a difference! No break in needed with these guys. The upper is made from local Kenyan fabric and is very beautiful as well as comfortable. The stitching is top notch and I can find no quality control issues with my pair! The sole of the boots are ridiculously flexible yet still sturdy. They have a sort of 'bounce' to them. The wear is close to what you would find with sneakers but with more grip! Although definitely not a winter boot, I did take them for a spin outside in the cold and snow and they held up just fine. I will probably put some waterproof spray on the pair for when I get stuck in the rain.
I am most likely going to be wearing this pair of boots more in the spring and summer because of what materials they are made out of so I will do more updates then. I have been walking around my apartment with them on just because it feels like I am wearing slippers!
