These is 5 Trendy uses for Kitenge fabric

Just like the Ankara and kente fabrics define West African culture, East Africa’s traditional textile of choice is the Kitenge. Here’s a look at some of the innovative uses of this versatile print fabric.

This vibrant fabric has a long history and gives the eastern African region an identity. The colorful prints have long been associated with ladies dresses and head gear as well as the occasional men’s shirt. Local designers have brought the Kitenge into the 21^st century by using it to create fashionable garments that are gaining popularity even among the youth who previously steered away from African prints.
Shoe designs
Fashion forward men and women can now choose from an array of Kitenge themed shoes which come in varied prints and designs. From loafers to stilettos, designers are finding more and more ways of incorporating African print to footwear. The material is relatively durable and does not require much maintenance making them a favourite choice for many.
Fashion accessories
Over the years the kitenge has been moved from just being the material of choice for clothing.  It has now been adapted for use on items such as earrings, bangles, purses, necklaces, bags and wallets. These fashion adornments indeed offer a whole new essence of afro chic.  These colorful adornments are in high demand both locally and internationally and entrepreneurs continue to seek new markets for the products.      
Haute Couture
The demand for African prints in the fashion industry is on the rise and kitenge cloth is increasingly being used to create high fashion garments both in the local as well as the international markets. Kitenge now features extensively in collections from local designers such as Wambui Mukenyi as well as international names like Luis Vuitton. Various celebrities such as Beyonce, Gwen Stefani and Solange have been spotted on the red carpet donning Kitenge designs.  In Kenya the Kitenge Festival is a popular event held periodically and is meant to highlight the varied uses of Kitenge fabric.     
Cushions and upholstery
Kitenge is slowly infiltrating the interior décor scene and the fabric is now used to make seat upholstery which turns plain seats into stylish works or art. The same applies to cushions which can be adorned with Kitenge material which greatly improves their aesthetic quality. Those who are tired of ordinary curtains will be glad to know that the Kitenge designs are a trendier option.

Bedding
The bedroom is a private space but that does not mean that it has to be drab.  The incorporation of Kitenge themed beddings adds color and vibrancy to the bedroom in addition to being a comfortable option for bedding fabric. There are plenty of designs for Kitenge beddings ranging from attractive quilts to bedcovers.