Fashion Design is the art of application of design and aesthetics or natural beauty to clothing and accessories. The designs are heavily influenced by cultural and social latitudes and have varied over time and price. Fashion design is defined by the creators of new footwear, clothing and accessories.
Fashion designing involves a set of skills that range from market research and creativity to sketching and fabric selection. We sit down with the Founder and Creative Director of Shop New Level a women’s wear brand that is made in Kenya.
Nancie Mwai is one of Kenya’s top influential female creatives. A trendsetter that many know for her exquisite taste in fashion that has grown overtime to having her own fashion brand made locally in Kenya for women.
25 quick fire Questions with Nancie Mwai
What inspired you to start your own fashion brand?
I have always loved fashion, I was a stylist at one point. I was a fashion writer at one point. Started a blog then my own brand by importing first and then started creating my own designs.
Which is your all time favorite piece from your collection?
I design all of them, I love all of them. The rich housewife is one of my favourite pieces, yeah that’s the one!
What is your worst experience with a client?
The clients who are rude to my employees. I cannot stand that, its always good to have a good form of communication and conflict resolution.
Describe your fashion brand in 4 words?
Colourful, luxe, summer and very chic!
What sets your brand aside from other Kenyan brands?
At New Level we have really mastered the use of print. I am very black and white obsessed but we sell different kinds of prints, and I think our customers love prints.
Have you ever considered acting, if yes which movie character would your personality portray?
I don’t think acting has ever crossed my mind, I wear my feelings on my sleeves; but I’d love to be an Olivia Pope.
If you were stranded in a desert, which three things are you carrying with you?
My phone, food and clothes. What are we doing without clothes? *laughs*
Do you have any hidden talents people don’t know about?
In my group of friends, I’m the FBI, I can find anything!
If you had to switch professions with someone, who would it be and why?
I wanted to be a lawyer back in high school but I always had a love for fashion. I think the reason I wanted to do law is because I saw a lot of lawyers making it but never saw a designer or someone in the fashion industry making it.
What is your greatest strength and weakness?
I am able to see an opportunity and I’m a very quick learner. For weakness, I can procrastinate a lot but I’m self aware about that, so I know when I’m taking time to take action.
Worst date?
I have never had one of those *laughs*
Biggest fear?
Poverty for sure.
What is the best or worst (big) purchase you have ever made?
My best I can say is my air fryer. I don’t like to cook, I don’t cook often but I am definitely enjoying it. For worst; it’s a perfume I bought and I don’t like it at all, and I liked it on someone else but when I got it I did not like it.
Which artist and influencer in Kenya would you rate to be a perfect 10?
Nikita Kering. She is amazing, talented and very beautiful. You can see she is into her craft.
Were you the popular girl in Highschool or the quiet one?
I was definitely not the quiet one. I don’t know if I was popular, maybe, but troublemaker? yes!
What is one of your favorite places to eat?
INTI – A Nikkei Experience, Cultiva and Talisman Restaurant
What would you like to remembered about?
Pushing the boundaries especially in the fashion industry in Kenya. Growing up we didn’t see much of young women doing their thing in the fashion world, it’s something that has peaked in the last 6 years. I would love to be remembered for that.
What do you think about the fashion critics online?
Criticize if you look like a perfect 10, but if you’re not, you have no business criticizing other people. We all dress differently. We all have our own creative sense, we all have our way of interpreting clothes; its about just coming out of your shell and doing what you want to do.
What season of the year is easiest for you to be fashionable?
Summer! Anything that I can wear one layer, is perfect.
Can you be fashionable without spending a lot of money?
Yes you can! It’s just about your own creativity. I used to sell clothes from gikomba back in the day, I did that for a good 3 years, so yes you can.
What would you wear to meet royalty?
A dark maroon pant suit for sure.
Two things you would not wear together?
Booty shorts, not my style.
What is your worst fashion trend?
I don’t know if I have any trend that I totally detest . I used to hate Kitenge but now I wear them! I wear them!
Describe your perfect day
If I am able to complete my to-do-list. It’s not a long one; it’s 5 to 6 things I usually need to do and 3 important decisions I need to make. If I do all those, that’s a good day….. also if I wake up on time and I’m in bed by 10pm.
What is something new we can expect from you in 2023?
Shop New Level wise, we have a new product launch coming in the first quarter of the year and more designs. We have also moved to a new location, a very pretty spot.