The Nairobi Design Week Designs to Watch

There has been a need to create spaces where continuous education and exposure to a good blend of culture and design can embrace urban innovation. Nairobi Design Week has filled this gap well over the last eleven years.

For a long time, the African approach to luxury has been confused with a shadow of current and Westernized trends. Yet, at its core, African luxury has often been achieved by upcycling authentic, readily available raw materials to create a truly contemporary African urban life.

Nairobi Design Week has advanced creativity far beyond emerging East African designers. The annual creative festival, held in Nairobi, Kenya, brings together talent to celebrate design and explore how creativity can solve real-world problems.

Apart from exploring local talent, strengthening Kenya’s design industry, and connecting creatives with opportunities, Nairobi Design Week also focuses on storytelling through creativity.

The event features product designers, graphic designers, artists, architects, individuals, and business collaborators as exhibitors. While networking and opportunities are expected, the event is also known for building a platform for learning and growth through exhibition spaces, workshops, talks, and creative works.

It is an avenue for networking and a platform to speak and express creativity, heritage, and culture, preserving yesterday for the future.

Nairobi Design Week is a collection of exhibitions showcasing a good blend of traditional techniques and modern materials to create authentic designs and embrace urban innovation.

One such brand that has exhibited is Akala21, a traditional footwear concept born in the 20th century, featuring modern sandals made from locally sourced tyres. Akala21 is an outstanding footwear brand that promotes sustainability by upcycling tyres, hence reducing waste in the environment.

Akala21 has the potential to grow onto the global stage if it continues to address the environmental challenge of disposable waste.

Another sustainable brand that made its debut at Nairobi Fashion Week is Miss Njeri Fashion, which showcased its Wounds and Renewal collection and first ready-to-wear pieces.

The 2026 Nairobi Design Week, themed Let’s Be Human, featured even more passionate and consistent creatives promoting innovation and sustainability. The theme of this year’s event was a call to live with honesty, meet each other with openness, and embrace the full spectrum of what it means to exist boldly, tenderly, and imperfectly together.

Adrian Jankowiak, the founder of Nairobi Design Week, expressed the need for a practice that places people at the heart of design.

There was so much creativity on display this year.

1. Dearest Pinocchio

Photo: ITA Nairobi

Dearest Pinocchio was one of the most visually playful exhibitions at the festival. It invited young visitors to interact with the displays, explore design objects, and discover stories in creative ways.

The hands-on workshop explored how design can make spaces and experiences more inclusive, welcoming different people and their needs.

Through illustration, design, and storytelling, Dearest Pinocchio reimagined the classic tale of Pinocchio into a fresh, imaginative experience. The exhibition encouraged students to explore their creativity, nurture their curiosity, and engage with the arts, inspiring the next generation of designers and storytellers.

2. Her Flow Lab – The Weight of the Cycle

Photo: HER FLOW LAB

The Weight of the Cycle was a powerful exhibition that highlighted the fight against period poverty and the importance of restoring dignity to every girl. It created an open, interactive space where visitors could learn about menstrual health, ask questions, and have honest conversations about periods without fear or shame.

The exhibition challenged the stigma and silence surrounding menstruation, reminding people that it is a natural part of life and should never be a source of embarrassment. It also encouraged visitors to reflect on the challenges many girls face in accessing menstrual products, information, and support.

More than just an exhibition, The Weight of the Cycle was a call to action. It invited people to recognize the weight of menstrual health challenges and take steps towards change. At its heart was a simple but powerful message – every girl deserves access to menstrual care, the freedom to speak openly about her health, and the dignity to live, learn, and thrive without shame.

3. Touch with Your Eyes

Photo: Touch With Your Eyes

In this exhibition, visitors were welcomed to take part in a scavenger hunt. Upon completion, participants were rewarded with materials such as push pins and fabric scraps, which contributed to a growing installation.

The art form demonstrated the strength of human collaboration, showing how individual contributions can come together to create something meaningful.

Nairobi Design Week continues to show that design is more than just aesthetics, it is a way of telling stories, preserving culture, solving problems, and creating meaningful experiences. Through the work of these creatives, we are reminded of the value of looking at what we already have and finding new ways to make it meaningful. As African design continues to evolve, platforms like Nairobi Design Week remain important in giving local talent the exposure, knowledge, and opportunities to grow beyond borders while staying rooted in their identity. Ultimately, the future of African design lies in our ability to embrace our heritage, challenge convention, and create with people at the heart of it all.