Kapoeta by Ambica is a luxury collection of handmade feather jewelry and accessories where each unique feather piece beautifully combines edgy, extravagant and elegant. Founded in 2010 as an African eco-fashion brand, Ambica supports ethical and sustainable sourcing, production and design. Inspired by her travels through Spain, Morocco and India, Ambica discovered a dynamic fusion of culture and fashion where colours and dimensions came to life in unique and surprising ways. Feather fashion sprang to life and today she sources her feathers, beads and leather from local Kenyan entrepreneurs with a vision for supporting local communities.

Ambica works closely with the fly-tying community in Kenya where she collects the off cuts and recycles the feathers into her creations. Her designs are personally hand crafted into unique and eccentric collections that never cease to captivate the imagination nor peak your curiosity. All materials are ethically sourced from local entrepreneurs and individuals with the aim of empowering and supporting the local community and environment.

The name Kapoeta (pronounced ‘Ka-po-eh-tah’) comes from South Sudan, a place that conveys mystical and magical elements. It is a reflection of Ambica’s work that embodies a sense of free-spirited nature that transcends borders. Her source of creative inspiration is drawn from traditional tribal cultures including the Samburu and Dinka people, Native Americans and Gypsy Indians who practice the age-old culture of adorning with feathers, silver, beads and decorative apparel. Kapoeta by Ambica captures this fascinating, rich global history that is shared across cultures and continents and reinterpreted into modern fashion.

Ambica’s signature earrings, ear cuffs and collars are picking up momentum in the fashion world and have been featured in various Kenyan fashion shows and International print publications. That momentum has translated into an organic expansion of creative energy and design, integrating new techniques and materials into the brand.

In 2014, she completed an intensive silversmithing course at Ruth Prowse School of Art in Cape Town and brought life to silver bird skulls, silver sand dollars and traditional Miao earrings. In 2018, Ambica expanded the brand and merged Yolanda McIntyre's designs with her jewellery. The new collection features bespoke suede garments that are intricately beaded using traditional Maasai beads and techniques. Each piece is uniquely designed, paying close attention to detail and experimenting with colours and patterns. The new collection also features boho-chic apparel, which is synonymous with a boho lifestyle, with ethereally light Indian printed fabrics and flowy cuts. All creations resonate deeply with Kapoeta by Ambica’s values and ethos, and continue telling the story of this unique brand.

Eco-fashion is at the heart of the brand. As an ethical and sustainable fashion brand, they are committed to supporting their local community and sourcing ethical products throughout their design and production process. They work closely with the fly-tying community in Kenya by recycling feathers deemed unusable or simply the off cuts.  Fly tying is an age-old art that requires delicate craftsmanship & skill, emphasizing on quality & attention to detail. Cockerel or chicken feathers are sourced, fumigated and dyed from the local Kenyan market. By locally outsourcing feathers that are a bi-product from the chicken industry, we contribute to the livelihoods of the individuals who collect the feathers and support their collective vision to recycle materials into further value. Sourcing these types of feathers requires time, patience and quality control. In addition, they source gift bags from the Vivid Generation Afrika Society, a community-based project in Nairobi that started making handmade paper bags from recycled materials in 2001. The projects main objective is to offer life opportunities to street kids, vulnerable children and drug addicts by reclaiming their basic rights and creating economic empowerment. Leonard manages the project and trains the youth participants to design silkscreened eco-friendly gift bags, business cards, T-shirts etc. Leonard prides himself on efficiency, promptness and delivery. 

Kapoeta by Ambica also takes part in some beautiful and highly creative collaborations for example the project titled “She Shapes Her City”. She Shapes Her City was co-founded by Mia Collis and Cynara Vetch and celebrates women in Nairobi. She Shapes The City presents real Nairobi women; intellectuals, creatives, entrepreneurs, volunteers, wage earners. What they share in common is that each is making a difference to this city. Some of the women represented in this project include Teresa Njoroge, Catherine Wanjohi and Muthoni Ndonga. Teresa was pursuing her childhood dream, a career in banking, when she was falsely accused of a fraudulent transaction. Sentenced to imprisonment in the High Security Langata Women’s Prison Teresa was forced to bring her 3 month old baby with her. What began as a loss of career and social standing led to her purpose in life, advocating for Kenyan women trapped in a cycle of poverty and life behind bars. Teresa is the Founder of Clean Start, which equips formerly incarcerated women with entrepreneurial skills and jobs. Catherine is an advocate for sex workers across Kenya. She left her prestigious role as a headmistress of a girls school when she realized that single mothers were paying for school fees through their work in prostitution. Founding Life Bloom Services International first in Naivasha, and now Nairobi, Catherine aims to offer alternatives for women who once worked on the streets. Muthoni is a woman who wears many hats; drummer, rapper, singer, entrepreneur but all revolve around a love for music. With her traditional 6 piece set of Ohlanga drums Muthoni makes a dramatic statement on stage but mixes the Luo instrument with modern patterns and strong rap lyrics. This musician set up her own music event named Blankets & Wine in response to limitations with the club and live music space in Nairobi. The event exploded and has become the benchmark for live music in the city. Through this project the brand was able to shine a light on strong and powerful women in society while dressing them in their gorgeous pieces and showcasing the true beauty of Kapoeta by Ambica through the stunning visuals created.

We are in absolute awe of this brand and can’t wait to see what more they have in store for us this year!