Studio Fashion. Foundry Programs. Ventures capital.
From circular fashion design at the Studio to community-led programs at the Foundry, to early-stage investment through Ventures.
About Us
We are the parent brand behind three pillars Swahili Design Foundry, Swahili Design Studio, and Swahili Design Ventures, working at the intersection of design and capital to help communities turn ideas ideas into practical, fundable solutions, equipping young people, local actors including fashion designers turning textile waste into sustainable brands with the tools, skills, and support to build sustainably.
Swahili Design Studio
From waste to worth
Textile offcuts and discarded fabric don’t have to end up burned or buried. We map textile waste, train designers to upcycle it, and builds commercially viable, sustainable fashion brands on the Kenyan coast.
Waste Mapping & Sourcing
Upcycling & Design Training
Commercial Fashion Design
Brand Incubation
How We Co-create Impact
We partner with communities to turn ideas into solutions that work in everyday life.
Tonnes of textile waste diverted
Garments Produced
Brands Launched
Designers Trained
What's on
Solution Safari
Solution Safari is a six-week innovation journey from idea to a practical, investable solution.
Insights
Stay updated with the latest news, interviews, event recaps, reviews and more
The Clothes We Throw Away Are Telling Us Something
Kenya Didn’t Create the World’s Textile Waste Problem, But We’re Living With It
We Need to Talk About the Clothes We Throw Away
Testimonials & Partnerships
Tamsin Raine
"What stands out about Swahili Design Lab is their forward-thinking approach and commitment to meaningful impact. They bring fresh ideas and execute them with excellence."
Marie-Celine Piednoir
"Swahili Design Lab demonstrates how design and innovation can create real solutions for today’s challenges. Their professionalism, vision, and quality of work are exceptional."