“Fashion is not democratic—Embrace yourself”

The well poised Louise Raura—25, preens while talking about her work. She is smiling from her eyes while narrating how she’s always been a lover of fashion. But it was several frustrating dates that inspired her to take up a career as a fashion stylist. “Ordinarily, Kenyan men don’t care about their dressing,” she states, adding “It was disappointing to always turn up for dates looking fabulous, only for the guy to come in a t-shirt and jeans.” For about three years, Louise has been working towards bringing the extraordinary out of ordinary guys. “Ladies and celebrities have their way around their wardrobe,” notes the stylist who only specializes in styling men. A lot of her clients approach her for outfits fit for a weekend-out, various occasions including weddings, office wear or just a change of wardrobe.

Unlike the old mentality that looking good directly translates to paying up, Louise’s lexicon of pricing comes in affordable packages, starting from KES 1,000 per hour, going up. “I can either outsource what you need if not sell it to you or take you shopping,” says that raspy-voiced Journalism graduate who’s currently studying Management and Image Consultancy. Her latest errand was helping a newly-elected lawyer to the bar stock up his suit collection. Nairobians are fast adapting to some kind of style and respect for fashion, especially when gracing events. The glitz and glamour at Taste Awards (2013) could have made a total stranger mistake the food awards ceremony for a Best Dressed affair. “Fashion is art but unfortunately not democratic. What looks good on someone else might not look good on you. We express ourselves through what we wear but we must also check out body types. After that, take a bold step and embrace yourself— that’s style; simple and forever,” she concludes.

To contact Louise as a stylist, email her through luizraura@gmail.com

By Anyiko Owoko.