SHOWCASING KISUMU

"Welcome to UK," greets Pamella Aoko, one of the leggy models from the lake region and now based in Belarus. She's in Kisumu to catwalk Kenya's budding fashion flare of the season, where many Asians have made Kisumu their home.

The lakeside city is not new to Asians most of whom are descendants of Indian Railway laborers and now form the backbone of the economic activities in the city.

Th models - all well-known names on the Kenyan catwalk scene look stunning wearing the jewels and clothes made by the designers, all proudly Kenyan whether of Asian, English or Indigenous stock.

"My accessories are made with Kenyan materials," says Patel Doshi, the jeweler. "They have an African flavor but can be worn in the office or back home for the tourists."

Against the throb of the music and the special lighting and decor of the stage where the center piece is an enormous Chinese wooden doors of the historical carved wooden doors of old, the emphasis is on simple, sleek and sophistication.

"I use semi-precious stones like pink quartz and peridot, beads, leather, raffia and other natural strings for this season's accessories all sourced in Kenya," continues the jewelery designer. I would die for some of the accessories but they are not cheap.

"The clothes are for the summer and so elegant! The models will wear clothes from designers like Emamo Milo from Indonesia, Mobago from Egypt - bikinis, day and evening wear," continues Caria of Sea Stars boutique which has a string of boutiques across the world in the Planhotel chain

"Fashion is creativity," says the good-looking Indian woman, who with her husband own a chain of shopping malls in Kisumu. "Indians are famous fashioners. It's a desire to improve oneself all the time," she says in her heavy Indian accent. "You don't have to be born beautiful. You can make yourself beautiful."

An animated discussion follows with the models about Kenyan fashion sense.

"Fashion shows like these are a practical way to enlighten the woman on what the trends are, where they are heading and where to get the stuff from. it shows you what to wear, how to wear it and how to be comfortable in it.

"We need more shows like this," continues Nini. "Very few people can afford the high street prices because they are expensive. But Kenyan women are quickly learning to put together great outfits from second hand stalls. We get the ideas from fashion shows like these, fashion magazines and local newspapers and magazines."

A leading local designer who did not want to be named agrees. "Mitumba has been very influential on the Kenyan scene. It has increased the perception of quality and educated the public to demand more (in terms of quality and value for money). It has made the Kenyan a more discerning buyer. Even though we as designers can't compete with mitumba, it has at least brought in affordable fashion."

Wambui Njogu of Moo Cow, also from Nairobi, adds. "We don't have the volume and that's also because we don't have many social skills and it's not affordable the world over. You just can't compete with the mass production from factories."

"Fashion design is a different way of working. It has crazy dynamics and there's a niche market for it like business people or icon seekers," agrees Ann.

The fashion show wows the crowd mostly made of the Asians of Kisumu. The women in attendance look like they are part of the fashion parade, wearing the most splendid attire of evening saris and accessories.

"The Asian culture is full of art, architecture, music and history," says Ann who has lives in Mumbai. "They grow up with it all around them. Clothes are a part of art for Asians, an expression. It's how you present yourself."

In between the fashion expose, the Sarakasi dancers entertain the crowd.Having performed in India, Holland, UK and regionally in Africa, the young dancers are completely at ease among the audience. The troupe of eight do the salsa, jazz and modern African to the beats of drums. Sarakasi, started by the duo husband and wife team of Rudy and Marion van Dyke started with idea of giving the less fortunate in the society a means of helping themselves through the medium of performing arts.

"We have kids from the slums," says Renee Githinji. "You don't even have to know how to dance, you just have to have the determination to learn and the discipline." Sarakasi, based at the Go Down in Nairobi's Industrial Area demands dedication.

The models come out wearing everything from bikinis to long evening gowns. To break the sophisticated tone of the fashion show is Fredie, the Master of Ceremonies. The comical and not-so-skinny man on the catwalk is also a singer, belting out a Dholuo number in a rich benga tone.

"Nothing compares to Kisumu," says the casino owner. "It's a great place where people come together, become part of the culture."

"It's a great expose and a way for us to make links," finishes Wambui Njogu. At Sh1,500 and a dinner served on silver plates with the finest of gourmet dishes and wine to wash it down with, it's been a rewarding show for everyone. Fashion is, after all, an artistic expression, a delightful way of bringing forth the best features of the wearer.