Meet Our Founder: Kahindo Mateene

A graduate of the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago, Kahindo Mateene was born in Uganda, educated in Kenya, and has called Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Niger home. Today, she is the founder and Chief Creative Designer for KAHINDO. She creates all of the brand's colorful and original prints herself in New York City. Kahindo is dedicated to empowering women, especially the female artisans who help produce her lines.    

“For me, fashion is only as beautiful as the way I treat the female artisans and workers who help me create my line. That means focusing on sustainability and ethical work environments for my global partners, and using the KAHINDO brand as a vehicle to create equity and job opportunities for women. Together, we share the heart and soul of Africa with the rest of the world through fashion.” -Kahindo Mateene

Kahindo was selected in 2011 to take part Macy’s prestigious Chicago Fashion Incubator program, and was also a contestant on Project Runway season 12 in 2013. Her collections have been showcased at multiple international fashion shows, including Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa and New York Fashion Week at the Harlem Fashion Row.  The New York Times, Elle, Essence, and Marie Claire have all featured her work and brand.