FashionABuzz: Fashion High Tea 2016

 with Trevor MAHIRI

The 2016 Kenyan local fashion calendar begun last Saturday the 27th of February when the prestigious Zen Garden hosted its 6th annual Fashion High Tea event that celebrates fashion in Kenya.

The event organized and hosted by Shivan & PayalRadia is one of the very few fashion galas that have consistently got better with time. This year’s proceeds will go towards raising awareness about Down’s Syndrome facilitation of the ‘My Ella Down Syndrome Resource Centre in Nairobi.

Fashion High Tea combines a wide variety of mini boutiques that sell elaborate pieces and a glamorous fashion show with models strutting down the catwalk in pieces from both local and international designers – including Carole Kinoti, Boutique Mahali, Mia Koran from London and Ada by Alter Ego from Nigeria.
There was also a sumptuous High Tea Menu that included a Sushi Bar, Cheese Corners, Ice cream Bars and Burger Stations.

The attendees included high-profile guests and personalities such as Sauti Sol, Muthoni DQ, Citizen’s very own, Janet Mbugua, Bidanya Barista and high-end photographer Emmanuel Mambo.
Most women went for fuller, looser styles which they paired with the required hat or fascination, while most men opted for three-piece suits.

Make-up artiste Steve Kobe won the best dressed male title while Mark and Annabel Fuchs were crowned the best dressed couple of the day.

Adapted from Daily Nation, 6/3/2016.
Fashion High Tea celebrates Haute Couture in Kenya. The previous five FHT editions boast rave reviews on pizzazz, style and execution. The events have also received extensive media coverage both locally and internationally.

This year’s edition, staged amid the lush gardens of Zen, had an extravagant Runway, with intimate table seating for all the guests to enjoy. Gorgeous models strutted the catwalk in stunning couture from both local and international designers.

 Some of the trending hash tags for Fashion High Tea event included: High tea gatherings’ dress code has historically been associated with elegance and sophistication. - #FHT2016, Back then, it was compulsory for high society ladies to wear dresses, gloves, hats and gentlemen had to wear jackets and a tie. -#FHT2016 and Ladies come out wearing your fabulous big hats and sundresses. Gentlemen make sure you look dapper in those jackets! -#FHT2016
Some of the sponsors of the event are Heineken, KISS FM, Slater & Whittaker, Pearly Bay, Viva Global, Yummy Magazine, the prestigious Remy Martin, Jack Daniels, Gentlemen Jack, J.P Chenet among a host of other high-end sponsors that I’ve not mentioned.

Applause to Zen Garden for a fantastic afternoon of high-end fashion and heavenly food.