exit from the eurozone: golden star fallen from a blue wall

News on Britain’s exit from the European Union has been received with mixed feelings from businessmen, law makers and politicians all around the globe. Many claim that the referendum vote in the UK to leave the EU is a political move but this move has major influence on trade and business activities that relate to the UK. The UK is one of the largest trade partners in Kenya and their decision to stand alone could affect the exchange of goods and services between the two. All of UK’s trading arrangements, laws, taxes and regulations are currently set by the EU law. This may not immediately change as the UK wants to maintain its trade relationship with countries such as Kenya.

With the increasing emergence of African fashion and style in the international arena, local fabric producers may suffer a blow in the export of products to the UK. The textile industry in several African countries continues to struggle and this could worsen due to the drastic fall of the British currency. Kenya may have to face lengthy renegotiations of trade deals with European countries as a result of the weakening British pound and Euro against the dollar globally and against the shilling locally. This will have a bearing on cost of exports and imports to and from Europe. Thus, exporters of fabric and other services in the fashion market may be losers as they may start earning less from their sales. Importers of British goods will have a reason to smile as costs incurred may be lower as the sterling pound weakens.

Kenya is also said to import most of its mitumba clothes from the UK and United States. With the shilling appreciating against the pound, we may have an increase in the already over populated mitumba business. Consequently, this may result to a slower rise of our local textile industry due to stiff competition from the business of second hand clothes; this is an issue that continues to worry me.

Brexit may also affect the free movement within the EU as Kenyans living in Europe or visiting may now have to obtain visas to travel to countries where they previously had easy access using their UK attained passports. With the tightening of immigration procedures in Britain, International modeling agencies and fashion schools may find it harder to scout and accommodate foreign models and fashion students. Work permits may also be harder to attain. This could see an end to international modeling careers a path which has previously been proven possible by individuals such as Kenyan model Ajuma Nasenyana , Uganda’s Patricia Akello and Ivory Coast’s Adonis Bosso.

The effect of the exit may however not be immediate as trade, foreign relations and all EU laws stay the same until a resolution is put into practice. Meanwhile, the UK and EU have two years to negotiate a leaving agreement.

Photo by Eric of Studio Fotogeric

Having been a fashion model for the past four years, I’d like to share my experience and views with you. My years of modelling has had me walking high profile fashion shows and working with both local and international designers. I have worked with stores such as Deacons and Zara and featured in local magazines and print advertisements. The joy of training and coaching upcoming models and lending a hand in fashion show production has been a part of my journey too.
In July last year, I was nominated for Top Male Model and won the award at the Kenya Glamour Awards 2015. (I thank you all for the overwhelming support) I have been lucky to experience the life of a model in one of the biggest cities in Africa, Nairobi. It hasn’t all been easy. There have been long periods spent on queues and hours of endless waiting, to countless unsuccessful auditions, rejection and low paying jobs. This job is not for the faint hearted! Despite all the challenges, I continue to love the work. I learned how to pick out the best experiences and leave out the rest, and trust me the good moments are plenty. With the glam that comes with the fashion industry, many fail to recognise the struggles that those in the business experience. The backstage madness, low turn up of audiences during events leading to major loses, fraud and exploitation among other challenges. The business aspect in most cases is not one to go by and this has sometimes made me wonder if there’s a fashion industry in Kenya. And if so, its success and influence to Kenyans in general.
Today, I interact with you hoping we can work towards having a highly recognised and profitable fashion industry, an industry that is properly organised to accommodate artistes in the fashion sector. I intend to discuss the effect of business, law, politics on the Kenyan fashion industry. My aim is to contribute to the development of the fashion industry and put it at par with other developing sectors such as tourism, music and sports. I would also like to inspire a new generation of fashionistas who are willing to steer the Kenyan industry towards being recognised as one of the greatest in terms of content, quality and financial might. I intend to emphasise on the economic impact that a booming fashion industry could have in Kenya and achieve government recognition as an industry. I am looking forward to walking this journey with you.

Stay posted for more articles by subscribing to my blog. I look forward to your opinion, comments and contribution.
Brian Onyango