Kenyan designer who turned a home science skill into a premium fashion brand

A sewing lesson in a secondary school classroom has grown into a fashion brand serving clients both in Kenya and abroad.

For Jojo, the founder of Jojo Fashion House, the journey into fashion did not begin with investors, a studio, or a clear business plan. It began in Home Science class at Ngara Girls High School, where she first learned how to sew.

Today, at just 25 years old, she runs a premium custom tailoring business that specialises in official wear and made-to-measure outfits for women seeking a better fit and a more personalised experience.

Jojo says her passion for fashion started long before she considered it a career.

“My love for fashion started in Home Science class at Ngara Girls, where I first learned how to sew,” she says.

After completing high school, she enrolled at the Buruburu Institute of Fine Arts to study Fashion and Design.

At the time, crochet was simply a side hustle that helped her earn some income while she figured out what she wanted to build.

What she did not realise then was that the small skill she had learned in school would eventually become the foundation of a growing business.

Unlike many fashion entrepreneurs who start with a market opportunity, Jojo’s inspiration came from a personal frustration.

She struggled to find clothes that suited her body type.

“If something fit my waist, it was too short. If the length was right, then something else didn’t fit,” she explains.

She soon realised many other women were facing the same challenge. That insight shaped the vision for Jojo Fashion House: creating outfits designed around the individual woman rather than forcing women to adapt to standard sizes.

Jojo says breaking into Kenya’s fashion industry was not easy.

Entry-level opportunities were limited, and many young designers found themselves moving from one internship to another without any guarantee of long-term employment.

“I didn’t start Jojo Fashion House because I had everything figured out. I started because I believed I could build a future that didn’t depend on waiting for the next internship or the next chance,” she says.

Instead of waiting for an opportunity, she decided to create one.

One of the turning points in her journey came when a client trusted her to make an orange suit.

That single order gave her confidence that her work could compete in the market. More women began approaching her for custom-made official wear, and the business slowly gained momentum.

What started as a small tailoring operation has since grown into a recognised brand with clients beyond Kenya’s borders.

Jojo Fashion House has invested in modern computerized sewing machines and structured quality-control processes to ensure consistency in every outfit.

The company has also built its reputation around customer trust. According to Jojo, every outfit goes through several checks before delivery, and the business is willing to remake or refund an order if a client is dissatisfied.

“We’d rather lose money on one outfit than lose someone’s confidence in our brand,” she says.

Looking ahead, Jojo hopes her story will encourage young Kenyans to take their skills seriously, even when they seem small or ordinary.

“Don’t wait until everything is perfect. Start with what you have. Stay committed to your vision, keep improving your craft and be consistent even when no one is watching,” she advises.

Her long-term goal is to make Jojo Fashion House one of Africa’s most respected fashion houses, known for quality tailoring, integrity, and innovation.