Exploring the ‘Childhood Fantasy’ Collection by Mariah Kwamboka

Mariah is a passionate and ambitious young woman who thrives on creativity and refuses to be confined to a single field. For her, life is an open canvas to explore and reimagine endlessly. She’s all about pushing boundaries, seizing opportunities, and aiming for greatness.

Her brand, Bokka, is all about creating a connection between the wearer and the story behind the clothes. It’s designed to make people feel confident and empowered through their style—a true reflection of self-expression and individuality.

When asked about her inspiration for the Kibera Fashion Week collection, Mariah shared that it was rooted in memories. “It’s about the breeze of the coast, the calmness of the ocean waves, and the carefree joys of childhood,” she explained. These reflections take her back to moments of freedom, creativity, and growth, even though those moments were sometimes tied to her academic achievements. Those small opportunities, however fleeting, shaped her creative spirit and continue to fuel her relentless pursuit of artistic expression.

The collection’s theme, Childhood Fantasy, is all about revisiting the joy and innocence of youth. Mariah reminisced about not being a fan of dresses as a child—thanks to her older sisters’ influence—but now finds herself drawn to the tutu and Cinderella-inspired styles she once avoided. The collection will be full of flared and gathered designs, embodying a whimsical sense of what she missed out on.Two keywords define the collection: jovial and growth. Joviality captures the carefree happiness of childhood, while growth represents her journey—both personal and creative—from those early days to where she is now.