Kibonen NY
Kibonen NY is a New York fashion label founded by Cameroonian-born designer Kibonen Nfi. It reinterprets the toghu, a hand-embroidered garment from Cameroon's western highlands, for contemporary wardrobes.
| Founder | Kibonen Nfi |
|---|---|
| Signature | Modern toghu designs |
| Production | Cameroon Clothing Company, Buea |
| Shows | New York Fashion Week |
What is Kibonen NY?
Kibonen NY is a fashion label founded by Kibonen Nfi, a designer born in Cameroon. The brand brings together traditional Cameroonian dress, West African fabrics and the New York fashion scene, and has presented collections such as Bimbia II during New York Fashion Week.
Products and positioning
The label is known for modern reinterpretations of the toghu, an intricate traditional garment from Cameroon's western highlands. Its approach blends cultures into well-crafted clothing with a social purpose. Designs from the label have been worn by Lupita Nyong'o and Drake and exhibited at Buckingham Palace and the Smithsonian.
Production
In 2020 Nfi returned to Cameroon to set up the Cameroon Clothing Company in Buea with partners. The plant employs more than 60 garment makers under fair trade conditions.
Why it matters
Kibonen NY illustrates a model in which a diaspora designer builds brand visibility in New York while moving manufacturing to the country of origin, creating local jobs and keeping traditional craft at the centre of the product.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Kibonen NY?
Kibonen NY was founded by Cameroonian-born designer Kibonen Nfi.
What is Kibonen NY known for?
It is known for modern versions of the toghu, a traditional garment from Cameroon's western highlands.