The 2023 Nairobi Design Week festival themed ‘It’s What We Make It’ will open at 9am-9pm on the weekend of 11th – 12th March at Opportunity Factory, Mbagathi Ridge, Karen.
The exhibition and other events will remain on until 19th March.
This year, Nairobi Design’s publicly available open calls curated 50+ physical, 50+ digital exhibitors, and 20+ programmes with partners.
2023 Flagship collaborations with Nairobi Design include:
- ‘Tracing the Wild’ with Sovereign Nature Initiative and Kenya Wildlife Trust that explores human-wildlife conflict through an AR data-scultpure;
- ‘The Bamboo Residency’ with INBAR, KEFRI and designers from the community; and
- ‘Afrika Design’ podcast with British Council #SSAArts.
**Among the key exhibitors and partners are: **
- Kairos Futura with multiple installations that represent their ‘Nairobi Space Station’ concept;
- New Comma with a highly curated selection of African creatives;
- ‘More Melano or Less?’ by Wakianda, and
- ‘Kibera Fashion Week’ by Avido Foundation, both in partnership with the Goethe Institute.
- Ocean Sole, with custom Africhibi sculptures
- FlipFlopi
Events and workshops will include:
- Careers in Design with Sinapis, Thinkplace and New Comma;
- a sustainable fashion panel hosted by Free Mind Sessions;
- creative cosplay with Jess Atieno;
- weaving with Africa Collect Textiles;
- screen printing with Dragonfly;
- pottery with Enn Ceramics;
- Nakshi Glass, and more.
“Every year we pick a theme that makes you think about life and design.”
- Adrian Jankowiak, founder & design director, Nairobi Design Week.
“It’s about looking at the resources we have and making the most of them.”
-_ Naitiemu, festival lead, Nairobi Design Week._
