MOMBASA COLLECTION – A Tribute to Africa by Kleed Kimonos Summer 2018

What would the world be like if every brand chose to support an important cause?

At Fashion for Conservation we are dedicated to creating a world where every purchase helps better our planet whether directly funding ecosystem conservation or supporting communities in living in better harmony with nature, and with each other. 

With KLEED joining the movement, we are one step closer to this future of fashion. 

“Africa speaks to me in the most elemental way – I knew on that first trip that I had come home. Here, I live in a state of heightened consciousness, of permanent wonder. Walking barefoot in the rust-red earth; losing myself again, under the star-filled indigo sky. African wildlife is ever-present in my life – it eclipses anything else. Best of all, Africa fires my creativity in terms of prints, patterns, colours and textures. Here, I truly come alive.” – Carolina, founder of KLEED

Spring/Summer 2018 KLEED Kimonos “Mombasa Collection’ collection unveils a thought provoking collection, which pays tribute to the proud Massai tribe, with vibrant prints, life-blood reds and the bold terracotta colours of Kenya.

The warm, terracotta reds and charcoal browns at the heart of this collection resemble the rolling plains and fiery colours of the Kenyan hills. A new line of ikat kaftans – metal grey and ivory cream – then take us to the sun-kissed beaches and endless vistas of the Indian Ocean.

As KLEED’s founder Carolina Guedes Cruz, explains “Mombasa Collection is the most
African-inspired collection to date. Over the last ten years, great strides have been
made in wildlife preservation. Through KLEED and contribution to wildlife conservation, we have shown we can make a difference and I am proud to have been a part – but there is still so much to do. KLEED has always meant far more than fashion, and from the very beginning, our clients recognized and endorsed us in our commitment. My time in Africa, working in conservation projects, fires my creativity and inspires my designs. Africa is, quite simply, who I am.”

The KLEED KIMONOS brand was founded in 2016, the brainchild of Carolina Guedes Cruz, a dynamic Portuguese entrepreneur, with two ruling passions in her life: fashion and wildlife conservation in Africa.

For Carolina whose professional experience includes working with renowned luxury brands such as Gucci and Alfred Dunhill, Fashion is an art form that draws inspiration from different cultures; yet its language is universal, and its messages resoundingly clear.

Over fifteen years of volunteer service in conservation projects in Africa, working with several species from elephants to rhinos, convinced Carolina that her contribution to wildlife conservation should combine the two worlds – international fashion and the preservation of African wildlife. Since then, KLEED has become a worldwide brand advocate for the conservation of wildlife in Africa.

Carolina believes that KLEED has a pivotal role to play, in the international fashion community, for wildlife conservation and the sustainability of our planet. Every collection reflects the essence of Africa – in themes, colours, or materials and in each one KLEED raises awareness for the huge challenges facing African wildlife today.

Although conservation efforts are finally paying off, Rhino poaching is an extremely aggressive business, with professional gangs operating in several countries and fueling Asian-led demand.

KLEED’s support of Imire’s project is two-fold: raising awareness of the rhino conservation projects and contributing with donations of KLEED’s turnover to Imire Safari Ranch. The monetary support is used directly towards funding the Rhino Conservation efforts on the ground, with equipment, medical support and helping to cover food expenses and transport costs.

KLEED is a young brand, with a stellar ambition – to become 100% sustainable. KLEED is already committed to ethical conditions with pieces designed and handcrafted by empowered women.

Fashion for Conservation welcomes KLEED to the global movement and family.

Caroline and her team will be exhibiting in upcoming FFC events including a capsule collection inspired by the rainforests of Africa for FFC’s current campaign #RAINFORESTRUNWAY at fashion week & the Annual Rainforest Gala & Runway.

Follow @FashionforConservation @kleedkimonos for more from this shoot and others.