CAMpreneur Sustainable Fashion Designer: Kibonen Nfi

Sustainable Fashion also called eco fashion, is a part of the growing design philosophy and trend of sustainability, the goal of which is to create a system which can be supported indefinitely in terms of environmentalism and social responsibility. Sustainable fashion is part of the larger trend of sustainable design where a product is created and produced with consideration to the environmental and social impact it may have throughout its total life span (Source: Wikipedia)

Keywords: Social, Impact, Responsibility, Sustainable!

Label: Kibonen NY

Designer: Kibonen Nfi

Location: New York, NY

 Meet our CAMpreneur Sustainable Fashion Designer, Ms. Kibonen Nfi...

Project: The Kibonen NY, Threads for a Cause Campaign

Why Sustainable Fashion?

For KibonenNY its just the best thing to do.

Figuring out a way of adding value to our culture definitely means creating jobs for the people who produce these items.

It really feels good when we do what we love and at the same time helping people improve the quality of their lives and adding in the little way we can to make the world a better place. Thats why it just had to be a sustainable business. I belong to a non profit organization www.jci.cc and i just love the impact it has on communities. I have learnt that the importance of helping the community makes us become who we are.

 JCI Event

 Fair Trade Dresses

 Please tell us about the Projects and Initiatives you have been involved in?

Over the past few years iIhave been building the foundation of a non profit organization. iI a co-founder the Cameroon Fashion Industry Association of America. The aim of this organization is to help develop the fashion scene in Cameroon at various levels. I am so excited about this as we have succeeded in building a great team and we have projects lined up to execute for next year.

This is my biggest baby right now. Through this organisation we brought a couple of designers from Cameroon to be a part of the Africa Fashion Week in NY which took place in July 2012. This same organization is the architect behind KibonenNY being present to represent Cameroon at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in SA.

We initiated the Super Model Search Competition in Cameroon which will take place next year.

We are working on a fashion boothcamp to take place in Cameroon sometime next year
 

We set up the Made in Camer Production unit in Cameroon which is a fairtrade production center based in Bamenda, Cameroon. Made in Camer also has a sales outlet in New York where products from this center is sold and products from other designers from Cameroon

Besides elaboration and carrying out projects for my non profit i am actively working on my fashion brand as i aim to franchise all stereotypes and barriers to be a premium fashion designer.

Describe Kibonen NY? 

Kibonen NY is a fresh brand that just basically strives to project the freshness of African fashion, producing sensual Garments with with a modern fusion. We aim to capture that smooth lifestyle and instill more value in our clients by making them contribute to the betterment of the world in a very subtle way. At the same time this brand is a Cameroonian brand that continuously puts Cameroons pride in Culture at the forefront and n the fashion map. 

What should we expect from your brand?

Expect nothing but the best since this is just the beginning. We have amazing plans for this brand and i will ask you to stay tuned first to see what Mercedes Benz Fashion Week SA will look like.

 How did it all start ? Kibs in Fashion World....

When we discovered the value of the "toghu"  we delved in to exploiting it and presenting it to the world. I did not realise how much of a sensation it was going to be. I am truly happy and proud it is gaining grounds and imposing itself as a distinct style in African fashion.  

What is this Campaign about? Threads for a Cause...

When I started fashion my first ever fashion show was wrapped around a charity cause hence it was named "Threads for a Cause". My project is entangled with my social responsibility cause and helping me build my brand is helping me move ahead in the cause of helping alleviate poverty in Cameroon by providing opportunities for the people less privileged that i am to further develop and exploit their competence through more valued productions.

This campaign is to help Kibonen NY be able to take care of the logistics to be present at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa and also help improve on our production facilities and be better prepared for the challenges that a major exposure like this will bring.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa is the largest and most industry standard fashion event in Africa and i will be one of the few Cameroonian designers to grace this platform. It is a huge honor for me and I need you all to make it. It is at a point where it is not about me it is about US.

Pictures Courtesy of FE Photography & Kibonen NY.

OK people, support a sister with a great cause to life, Threads For A Cause....Thumbs up Kibs. Keep up the great work of flying the Green, Red, Yellow flag high. All the best in your new venture...




Y.M.

IRepCamer