Preserve the love & resistance
Care Rituals
Each thread tells a story. These textiles have crossed generations — from the Swahili Coast, from the Maasai Mara, from looms older than borders. They deserve gentle, intentional care.
The essentials
Wash Gently
Max 40°C · Cold hand-wash preferred
Protect the soul of your garment. Wash only when needed — not after every wear. Spot-clean when you can. These fabrics were made to be lived in, not over-laundered.
Do Not Bleach
Our colours carry culture
The dyes in Kikoy, Kanga, and Shuka are chosen for meaning — red for courage, blue for sky, gold for ancestry. Bleach strips the story. Keep it bright.
Dry Low & Slow
Tumble dry low or air dry in shade
Heritage textiles don't rush. Lay flat on a clean towel or hang in the shade. Never hang wet Kikoy — the weight stretches the weave. Direct sunlight fades colour over time.
Iron With Intention
Press with care, by fabric type
Each textile has its own heat tolerance. Use a pressing cloth for extra protection. Steam works beautifully on wrinkled Kikoy — hold 15cm from the fabric and let the fibres relax.
Dry Clean Optional
When needed · Eco-friendly preferred
Yes, when needed — but it's rarely necessary. If you do, choose eco-friendly solvents. Most marks come out with a gentle spot-clean and patience.
Store With Love
Fold, don't hang
Folding preserves the drape of woven textiles. Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Cedar blocks or lavender sachets keep moths away naturally. Your garment is resting between performances.
Know your textiles
These fabrics have names, origins, and stories.
Kikoy
(Kikoi)Kenya & Tanzania Coast
A hand-woven cotton cloth born on the Swahili Coast, passed between generations of fishermen, traders, and families. Originally a wraparound garment, Kikoy is characterised by its vibrant stripes, soft hand-feel, and the way it softens with every wash — like a garment learning your body.
Care guide · Kikoy
- Machine wash gentle cycle at 30–40°C, or hand wash in cool water
- Wash inside out to protect the woven colour patterns
- Use mild, pH-neutral detergent — no bleach, no fabric softener
- Tumble dry on low or air dry in shade — Kikoy loves air
- Iron on low to medium heat (cotton setting) or steam from 15cm
Maasai Shuka
(Shuka)Maasai Mara, Kenya & Tanzania
The Shuka is the iconic checked blanket-cloth of the Maasai people — red, blue, purple, woven into identity. Traditionally an acrylic-wool blend built to withstand the savannah, it drapes with weight and intention. Each colour carries meaning: red for bravery, blue for sky and rain, orange for warmth and hospitality.
Care guide · Maasai Shuka
- Hand wash in cool water (max 30°C) to preserve the weave
- Do not wring or twist — press water out gently with a towel
- Lay flat to dry, away from direct sunlight
- Dry clean when needed — choose eco-friendly solvents
- Iron on low heat (synthetic/acrylic setting) with a pressing cloth
Kanga
(Khanga)East African Coast — Kenya, Tanzania, DRC
A printed cotton cloth worn by women across East Africa, always in pairs, always with a proverb (jina) printed along the border. Kanga is language made wearable — messages of love, protest, celebration, and wisdom passed through fabric. The prints are bold; the stories bolder.
Care guide · Kanga
- First wash separately — the rich dyes may release initial colour
- Hand wash cold or machine wash gentle at 30°C
- Add a splash of white vinegar to the first wash to set colours
- Do not bleach — our colours carry culture
- Iron on low to medium heat (cotton setting) on the reverse side
Linen
(Kitani)Sourced globally, sewn in Nairobi
The oldest textile on Earth, and still the most honest. Linen wrinkles because it lives — each crease a record of movement. It breathes in Nairobi heat, layers in Amsterdam cold, and softens into something deeply personal over years of wear. We don't fight the wrinkles. They're part of the story.
Care guide · Linen
- Machine wash gentle at 40°C or hand wash in lukewarm water
- Linen softens with every wash — embrace the process
- Do not bleach. Do not over-spin in the machine.
- Air dry flat or on a line — linen dries quickly
- Iron on medium-high heat (linen setting) while slightly damp for best results
“Preserve the love and resistance stitched into every piece.”
Questions about caring for a specific piece? We're here.
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