Meet the women

Kahindo Mateene

HerStory

Kahindo Mateene is the founder and creative visionary behind her namesake brand KAHINDO. Kahindo strives to use her brand as a vehicle to create job opportunities for women and share the heart and soul of Africa with the rest of the world. Kahindo was born in Uganda, educated in Kenya, and has lived in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Niger. When she’s not designing or reviewing samples from Africa, Kahindo enjoys traveling, dancing, and attending live concerts.

The Origin

KAHINDO is a socially responsible womenswear brand that creates wearable art featuring bold colors and custom prints inspired by the designer’s Congolese heritage, African upbringing and globe-trotting travels. Designed in New York City and produced by female artisans in Africa using fair trade practices, KAHINDO’s statement-making—yet timeless—silhouettes are made to empower the modern woman while having a social impact.

1. Wear your CREATIVITY proudly. KAHINDO collaborates with local African artists to develop exclusive textile prints in vibrant colors that are produced on high-quality fabrics and later turned into wearable pieces that make the modern woman feel confident and regal.

2. Wear your RESPONSIBILITY proudly.Sustainability is woven into the fabric of each KAHINDO piece. Kahindo works closely with local organizations that support refugee women by providing them with job opportunities in a safe work environment and that pay fair wages. From sustainable sourcing to ethical production, KAHINDO seeks to align its business practices with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

3. Wear your EMPOWERMENT proudly.Women are the heart and soul of the KAHINDO brand. From the women that produce the pieces to those that wear them, KAHINDO leaves women feeling empowered and confident. What we produce, who produces it, and how its produced is all because of our incredible community of women.

4. Wear your HERITAGE proudly.Our pieces are an extension of the rich culture in Africa, its unique history, and the continent's powerful beauty that is reflected in everyone-of-a-kind print and thoughtfully-selected color palette.