KAHINDO MATEENE: EMPOWERS WOMEN THROUGH FASHION
From vibrant prints to ethical production, Kahindo is redefining what fashion can be bold, modern, and empowering for women everywhere.
“I COULDN’T SEPARATE BEAUTY FROM JUSTICE. FOR ME, BEAUTY MEANS DIGNITY, FAIR PAY, AND HONORING THE WOMEN WHO BRING THESE CLOTHES TO LIFE.”
KAHINDO MATEENE, FASHION DESIGNER
There are women who create clothing, and then there are women who create possibility. Kahindo Mateene is one of those rare visionaries. With her New York–based brand, KAHINDO, she takes the colors of her Congolese childhood and the rhythms of her African upbringing and turns them into garments that feel alive, pieces that whisper individuality, courage, and joy.
Her work is more than design. It is a love letter to heritage and a manifesto for change. For Kahindo, fashion has never been only about what meets the eye. It is about the belief that fabric can carry memory, that design can bring dignity, and that clothing can carry hope. When she first stepped into the spotlight on Project Runway, and later when she had the courage to relaunch her brand in 2017, she wasn’t just chasing a career; she was carving out a mission: to prove that fashion could be both beautiful and just.
That journey has demanded sacrifice. Kahindo has carried the weight of building a brand while working a full-time job, often sketching into the early hours when most of the world was asleep. Every long night, every leap of faith, has been driven by her conviction that women deserve more: fair pay, recognition, and the dignity of seeing their artistry honored on a global stage.
And slowly, the world has begun to see what she sees. Her bold, radiant collections have been featured in Vogue, Elle, WWD, and The New York Times. Her collections have appeared on the racks of Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, and have traveled across continents, from Ethiopia’s fashion week to an upcoming show in Nairobi. But ask her what matters most, and she won’t point to the press or the runways. She will tell you about the women behind the garments—their hands, their stories, their futures.
In the end, Kahindo’s work isn’t only about fashion. It’s about giving voice to heritage, honoring women, and carrying stories forward. That is the real beauty she creates.
You grew up surrounded by color, pattern, and culture. When you close your eyes and think of your childhood, what images or moments first come to mind, and how do they show up in your designs today?
I remember my mom and her friends dressing to the nines in colorful dresses and traditional wraps, the sound of her Singer sewing machine at home, and the excitement of going to the market to pick fabric and then to the tailor to have dresses made for Christmas. I also spent hours playing with paper dolls and flipping through Spiegel catalogs, dreaming of fashion. Those early moments shaped my imagination and sense of style, and today they come alive in my designs through vibrant colors, bold prints, and timeless silhouettes that honor both tradition and modernity.
What was the moment when you knew fashion wasn’t just something you loved, but something you were called to?
It was when I went back home to Congo after many years away. I had a few designs made while I was there and brought them back to Chicago, where I was living at the time. Some friends came over, tried on the pieces, and immediately bought the samples. Their excitement and encouragement gave me the push to launch my very first brand in 2009. That was the moment I realized fashion wasn’t just a passion — it was a calling.
Many designers stop at beauty. You chose to build a brand around justice and empowerment. What shifted in you that made purpose the heart of KAHINDO?
The shift came when I really looked at the fashion industry and saw the exploitation of women, especially in Africa. I couldn’t separate beauty from justice. For me, beauty means dignity, fair pay, and honoring the women who bring these clothes to life. I wanted KAHINDO to prove that fashion can be ethical and aspirational — that luxury can empower, not exploit.
How do you see your Congolese roots and your pan-African upbringing shaping not only your aesthetic, but also the way you lead and create?
My Congolese roots gave me a love of boldness — colors, prints, celebration. My pan-African upbringing taught me adaptability, resilience, and respect for different cultures. It influences not only my designs but also how I lead: with inclusivity, collaboration, and the belief that there is strength in diversity.
You’ve spoken about sketching late into the night after long workdays. In those quiet hours, what kept you from giving up?
The vision of what I wanted KAHINDO to be kept me going. I knew that if I could create this brand, it could change lives — not just mine, but the women who make and wear the clothes. Every time exhaustion set in, I reminded myself of that bigger purpose. It wasn’t just about me; it was about creating opportunity and leaving a legacy.
“Every time exhaustion set in, I reminded myself of that bigger purpose. It wasn’t just about me; it was about creating opportunity and leaving a legacy.”
What does luxury mean to you when you think of it through the lens of your work, mission, and your life?
Luxury, to me, is not just about materials or price. It’s about meaning. Luxury for the Soul means creating garments that carry heritage, artistry, and purpose. True luxury is knowing that what you wear has empowered another woman’s future while allowing you to express your individuality with confidence and beauty.
You often center the artisans, the hands, and the stories behind your pieces. Can you share a story of one woman who has stayed with you and reminds you why you do this?
I think of a seamstress in Kenya who worked on one of my collections. She told me that through her work with ethical brands like mine, she was able to send her children to school. That touched me deeply because it was tangible proof that fashion can change lives. Every time I doubt myself, I remember her words and know that this mission is bigger than me.
Your work has been in Vogue, Elle, and on the racks of Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s. But what is the recognition that matters most to you personally?
The recognition that matters most is when a woman tells me she feels seen, empowered, or beautiful in my clothes. Press is wonderful, and stores are validating, but nothing compares to seeing a customer light up in something I designed. That human connection is my greatest reward.
From Project Runway to Nairobi, your journey has been one of constant evolution. How has Kahindo, the woman, not just the brand, changed along the way?
I’ve grown more resilient, more confident, and more rooted in my purpose. In the beginning, I was chasing opportunities; now, I’m creating them. I’ve learned that setbacks are part of the journey and that staying true to your vision, even when it’s hard, is what defines you. As a woman, I’ve stepped into my power — not just as a designer, but as a leader.
When you dream about the future of KAHINDO, what do you see? Not just in fashion, but in the lives touched by your work.
I dream of KAHINDO being a global brand that women seek out not only for its beauty but also for its purpose. I see more women artisans empowered, more jobs created across Africa, and more women around the world feeling connected to those stories when they wear my designs. I see fashion being a force for dignity and joy — a bridge between cultures, communities, and possibilities.
“Luxury for the Soul.” It reminds me every day that what I create must go deeper than aesthetics, it must nourish, empower, and inspire.
Because true luxury is soulful, discover more of Kahindo’s artistry at kahindo.com.
