Name: Anne Kiwia
Profession: Fashion – Communication Designer
Website: annekiwia.com / AnneKiwiaStore
Who are you? What do you do?
I’m Anne Kiwia, Designer.
Where are you from?
Born Rumania/ grow up in Munich/ since 5 years based in Dar es Salaam.
Your style in 3 words?
Up-cycling/unique/vibrant.
Your weakness? Your strength?
To manage people – to be a boss / to collect art and special fabrics.
What makes you different?
Each Headband we work on tells a unique story of it’s journeys across the world, to be rediscovered in the busy vendor streets of Dar es Salaam. Foraging for the finest textiles among masses of pre-loved clothes in Tanzania is a process of patience, passion, and prowess. Anne Kiwia navigates urban markets with eyes trained in the international high-end fashion industry, working with leading designers like Akira Isogawa in Sydney, Vogue Magazine in Germany and mytheresa.com. It allows me to breath new life into found treasures, wedding the most vibrant colours and patterns together in exceptional designs.
When did you decide to become an designer?
In October 2012 I started my own label ANNE KIWIA (Dar es Salaam).
What do you find most fascinating about your work?
That we can create something new or bring a piece of fabric back to live that has been abandoned or preloved.
A few words about your favourite creation?
I can’t tell as there were few pieces that were special to me. As the fabrics are arriving from different angle of the world each headband we create is in it self special and unique.
Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…
The Japanese Designer in Australia “Akira Isogawa”. 2006 I was his Intern and got to know him and his work. He is a true inspiration and his pieces are related to Oregami.
A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?
Yes more to come but get surprised.
Do you have a vision?
My Vision is to inspire young hearts and create work for a living so that the poorest can see a difference.
2017: Where are we going?
I live this guestion to my dearest Father.
Your city’s favourite spots?
Karume Market you find lots of fabric treasures/ Trinity Bar/Handmade from Tanzania/Nafasi Art Space.
Tell us about your future plans…
suprise ☺
Find out more about ANNE KIWIA here
