Profile: Ashley Maina – Real Leather Design Competitions

Ashley Maina

Delight Technical College

My name is Ashley Njeri, a creative director and fashion designer passionate about using storytelling to shape culture through fashion and visual communication. I am the founder of Miss Njeri Fashion House, a faith-driven brand built on sustainability, heritage, comfort, and creativity. My work explores the intersection of art, identity, and purpose, creating designs that communicate deeper narratives rather than simply following trends. I believe fashion is a powerful language that can preserve history, inspire conversations, and represent communities. This belief has led me to develop projects inspired by African heritage, social issues, and personal experiences, always seeking innovative ways to connect with audiences. Beyond garment design, I enjoy creative direction, branding, campaign development, and visual storytelling that bring ideas to life across different platforms. As a young African creative, my vision is to contribute to an industry where African stories and aesthetics are celebrated and led from within the continent. I am committed to continuous learning, collaboration, and using creativity as a tool for positive impact. Through every project, I strive to combine authenticity, craftsmanship, and purpose, creating work that is meaningful, memorable, and capable of inspiring others while reflecting the values that define both my personal journey and my brand.

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The Huria Dress

Category: Apparel

Competitions: Africa

The Huria is inspired by the Mau Mau fighters during Kenya’s fight against colonial rule. Many of them were forced into forests, separated from their families, imprisoned, tortured, and killed for demanding land and freedom. The garment reflects both the violence of that period and the resilience that came from it. The red sleeves use an original Miss Njeri print designed to embody the intensity and emotional weight of physical war. The side panels are made from printed cotton inspired by the cheetah skin worn by one of the Mau Mau fighters, translating that history into a sustainable textile while still keeping the visual connection to the original garment. Leather was used to give the garment weight, strength, and an almost armor-like feeling. The brass beadwork references value, labor, and African craftsmanship. Instead of presenting war as spectacle, the piece focuses on what remains after conflict: memory, resistance, and the people who continue living through its effects. Through fashion, the work asks how African histories can be preserved, worn, and remembered.