Kenya-based Hamaji is a firm favourite here at Gather&See and we were very happy to catch up with founder Lou to delve into more about the brand and it's ethos.
Founder - Lou
Tell us about Hamaji?
Hamaji is a brand rooted in craft and storytelling. Our collections weave together traditions from Kenya, India and the Himalayas, working closely with artisans who spin, dye and weave each fabric by hand. From handspun silk in West Bengal to indigenous wool from the Himalayan mountains and handloom cottons developed in Kenya, every piece carries the memory of the hands that made it.
Defined by soft, fluid silhouettes and poetic details, Hamaji garments are brought to life through botanical dyes, intricate embroidery, beadwork and hand-painted prints. Each collection is a quiet celebration of artisanal heritage—clothing designed not just to be worn, but to carry stories across places, cultures and time.
What inspired you to start it?
Hamaji was my graduation collection project that I wokred on in my final year at fashion school, it was a project that resonated deep with my beleifs and so I decided to continue it and pursue it into a brand.
What makes your pieces special or different?
All of our creations are a result of handcraft. I think what makes our collection special is the fabrics we use and the colours. The energy of Hamaji is something you can find in other brands.
What fabrics you use etc
We use a variety of natural fabrics from hand loomed silks and cottons to tencel, velvet, wool and beads
What inspired the new collection
Sarabi is inspired by the illusion of a mirage—light dancing across water and desert horizons. The collection blends coastal Kenyan imagery with artisanal traditions from Kenya, India and the Himalayas, expressed through handwoven textiles, botanical dyes and fluid, dreamlike silhouettes.
What does conscious fashion mean to you?
For me, conscious fashion starts with the people behind the craft. At Hamaji we work closely with artisans supporting traditional skills and creating pieces slowly and thoughtfully. It’s about respecting the hands that make our clothes and ensuring their knowledge and communities continue to thrive.
Three words to describe your brand?
Artisanal, Poetic & Nomadic
Can you share with us something personal about you — a passion, ritual, or what a typical day looks like?
I live in small coastal town along the East African coast called Kilifi, life is slow and simple here. A typical day consists of having a slow morning, exercising and swimming in the sea and then cycling to my studio at the Food Movement nestled under a big Fig tree with other Kenyan creatives and getting to designing, developing, shipping out orders, replying to emails and doing all the things a slow fashion brand requires :)
