Photos: Snazzy face mask fashion reaches Kenya’s Nairobi amid COVID-19

Photos

Login / Sign Up

Monday, December 23, 2024

Gold / Forex

Photos Lifestyle

Photos: Snazzy face mask fashion reaches Kenya’s Nairobi amid COVID-19

Kenya made face masks mandatory since the coronavirus pandemic hit the country

Published: August 01, 2020 08:11 Reuters and compiled by Balaram Menon, Senior Web Editor

1 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T135046Z_1439210265_RC294I9ITMJ4_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255073658 — Most of us have accepted COVID-19 face masks as an inconvenient, albeit necessary, safety measure. For the style conscious like James Maina Mwangi, however, they are an unmissable fashion opportunity. | Above: Mwangi posing as he displays his attire comprising at least 160 suits with matching accessories including a mask at his residence in Nairobi. Image Credit: REUTERS

2 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094925Z_1677352909_RC294I9B2ZTV_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255109883 — Mwangi's brightly coloured suits and hats made him stand out even on the busy streets of Nairobi's Umoja neighbourhood, where nobody ever seems to sleep. Image Credit: REUTERS

3 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094942Z_2070966641_RC294I96OZ3Y_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255087129 — Since the pandemic hit and Kenya made face masks mandatory, his outfits have become even more eye-catching. This week, the 59-year-old jack of all trades modelled his collection of face masks for Reuters. Image Credit: REUTERS

4 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094935Z_1588465970_RC294I931KY1_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255080393 — "Men knew how to wear clothes in black, brown, grey or dark blue. Those were men's colours," he told Reuters while wearing a bright yellow suit with matching hat and face mask. Image Credit: REUTERS

5 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094934Z_1669682477_RC294I9KCUG2_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255127581 — "God gave me wisdom and showed me all the different colours I can wear to be different from everybody else," added Mwangi. | Above: Mwangi pose with motorcycle taxi riders in Nairobi. Image Credit: REUTERS

6 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094932Z_360232790_RC294I93ZKZ7_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255124341 — Mwangi, who dropped out of school at 12 because he could not pay the fees, said he only had one shirt when he was a child, which he would wash it daily and put on still damp. Image Credit: REUTERS

7 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094930Z_1643825897_RC294I9B3CQO_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255118699 — People would laugh at him, but he promised himself that "one day I will be a star." Image Credit: REUTERS

8 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094940Z_542130367_RC294I9LJMIM_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255077262 — He now has about 160 suits, over 200 pairs of shoes, and 300 hats in colours ranging from saffron yellow to grass green, scarlet and plum. Image Credit: REUTERS

9 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094928Z_1892712595_RC294I9GPFRT_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255115753 — Mwangi said his clothes drew curiosity, then admirers when he first started wearing them 25 years ago. Image Credit: REUTERS

10 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094947Z_1499034068_RC294I9GND7K_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255100099 — "Now you can see me wearing all kinds of colours," he said. | Above: Suits are seen hanging inside Mwangi's house. Image Credit: REUTERS

11 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094945Z_1168117472_RC294I93PLPJ_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255096845 — Mwangi, who earns a living as a jack of all trades, says he lends his suits to members of his church and street children who need them. Image Credit: REUTERS

12 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094926Z_1039412102_RC294I95Y3LM_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255112664 — "Things have become harder now because of COVID-19. This country has no money," he said. | Above: Coloured mobile phone cases are seen inside Mwangi's house. Image Credit: REUTERS

13 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094937Z_1578167375_RC294I91NIZD_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255083826 — Mwangi prepares to display his attire comprising at least 160 suits with matching accessories. Image Credit: REUTERS

14 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094948Z_1559790780_RC294I97RZ61_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255103814 — Image Credit: REUTERS

15 of 15

Copy of 2020-07-31T094943Z_1922189968_RC294I9PUR27_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-KENYA-FASHION-1596255090405 — Image Credit: REUTERS

Latest In

France's Macron announces fourth government of the year

33 minutes ago
Multiple bird flu cases detected across England

42 minutes ago
Probe finds Trump ally Gaetz paid for sex, used drugs

1 hour ago
Sheikh Mohammed establishes Dubai Resilience Centre
Up to Dh2m fines for illegal network protocol bypasses

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.