From left Sally Karago; winner of Vijana na Equity Campaign Arnold Muriithi; Equity Group Foundation Chairman, Dr James Mwangi; Leading Fashion Designer, Katungulu Mwendwa; and Managing Director “in the bag†Linda Muriithi
A group of 40 upcoming fashion designers have graduated from an Equity Bank organized course that precedes their entry into the world of business. The designers were finalists in the bank’s Vijana na Equity; Design your destiny, fashion competition.
The designers, who were picked out of 193 entrants in an online competition, will enjoy a KShs 100 million seed fund set up by Equity Bank who recently launched Vijana na Equity, a campaign geared at providing support for youthful creative entrepreneurs.
“By providing financial literacy lessons to such a talented and youthful group, Equity Group is seeking to equip them with the necessary skills required to navigate through the dynamic financial environment. Fashion Designers equipped with financial literacy skills, we believe will be better placed to exercise prudence and even harness available financial resources including credit products. Through the Vijana na Equity initiative, we are setting off on a journey to nurture the youth and transform their dreams to be entrepreneurs in the creative scene. This is aligned with Equity Bank’s purpose to transform lives by maximizing opportunities for our existing and prospective clients†said Equity Group CEO, Dr. James Mwangi who accompanied Association of Fashion Designers of Kenya Chairperson, Ms Sally Karago
At the graduation ceremony, Arnold Muriithi raked highest taking home with KShs 150,000. Arnold, also got an all-expenses paid invitation to attend this years Hub of Africa Fashion Week in Ethiopia from Equity Bank. T
The other winners included Sheila Omondi, Latif Muqqadam and Chebet Lesan who were picked for the first, second and third runners’ prizes respectively while Kevin Ouma and Chebet Lesan won the most promising designer awards.
Through Vijana na Equity, the bank will be supporting fashion designers and other creative arts and innovation fronts.