The study used metrics such as the number of major fashion events, the availability of top fashion schools, Instagram hashtags related to fashion
Kenya recently emerged as the only Eastern African country that made it to the top 10 list of the world’s fastest-rising fashion hubs.
This is according to a recent study by Public Desire, which analyzes data on the fashion industry across several countries to find the most unexpected countries emerging as fashion hotspots.
The study used metrics such as the number of major fashion events, the availability of top fashion schools, Instagram hashtags related to fashion, Google searches about the fashion industry, the number of fashion brand headquarters with valuations over $100 million (Ksh12.9 billion), and the availability of fashion-related jobs.
Kenya came in position 10, hosting 1,825 major fashion events and generating a massive 701,000 Instagram hashtags, the highest among the analyzed countries. No other East African country made it to the top 10 list.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell walking in the Kenneth Ize show, she stunned in a dress that bore the Kenyan flag colors. /GETTY IMAGES
Public Desire noted that the East African country’s growing presence in fashion events and social media makes the hub an emerging hotspot in the global fashion market.
West Africa’s Nigeria made it to the coveted list, ranking above Kenya at position nine and wielding the second-highest number of Instagram hashtags.
The country is home to one fashion brand headquarters and has a growing job market in the fashion industry. Nigeria’s vibrant online fashion community mirrors its emerging market potential.
China topped the list as an emerging fashion powerhouse. The country is growing as a major fashion hub, with 2,789 major fashion events yearly and the highest number of fashion schools (100). Additionally, China is home to nine fashion brand headquarters valued at over $100 million, the highest number on the list.
Brazil ranked second, showcasing a strong public interest in fashion, with 270,000 Instagram hashtags related to fashion and a high number of fashion-related job opportunities (19,700). The country also hosts six major fashion brand headquarters, making Brazil an influential country in the global fashion market.
“Australia ranks third, hosting 2,738 major fashion events and offering the highest number of fashion-related jobs (37,400) among the countries on the list. It has a strong engagement in the fashion community, which is reflected by its 173,000 Instagram hashtags related to fashion,” Public Desire stated in part.
Turkiye holds the fourth position, hosting 1,388 major fashion events. The emerging hub has a developed educational system with 100+ top-tier fashion schools., three major fashion brand headquarters, and 8,000 Google searches.
Others in the list are The Netherlands ranking fifth, with 2,036 fashion events and 419 available fashion-related jobs, followed by Indonesia with 1,202 fashion events and 286,000 Instagram hashtags. With 23,700 available fashion jobs, Indonesia is steadily emerging as one to watch in the fashion world.
Mexico and South Korea also made it to the list at positions seven and eight, respectively. Mexico stands out with 361,000 Instagram hashtags and 18,400 fashion-related jobs. The country is also home to two major fashion brand headquarters, contributing to its growing influence in the global fashion industry.
South Korea has 629 fashion events and a strong educational presence with 91 fashion schools. With notable Instagram hashtags (10,400) and fashion brand headquarters (2), the country continues to emerge as a key player in the fashion industry.
Kenya is one of the leading apparel exporters in Sub-Saharan Africa, supported by a government that proactively backs the textile industry through policies such as Buy Kenya, Build Kenya.
Her fashion industry has come a long way. In a country where bespoke outfits are offered by tailors, designers have always had stiff competition, not to mention the difficult task of differentiating themselves from the former.
Today, the fashion industry enjoys contributions from first-rate designers, from contemporary to African designs, ready-to-wear to couture lines.
