SUNO was formed in 2008 by Max Osterweis after more than a decade of collecting textiles in visits to Kenya. The prospect that Kenya’s recent post election turmoil might keep foreigners from visiting or investing in a country overflowing with natural resources, talent, and good will became the catalyst to actually do something with those collected fabrics. Building a successful and visible company... that employs local Kenyan talent, treats workers fairly, and showcases some of Kenya’s artistry, could potentially affect positive and lasting social and economic change.
The design and development for SUNO takes place in New York City, employing skilled sample and pattern makers in New York’s Garment district. The patterns and samples are then brought to Kenya where the garments are artisanally produced in small workshops.SUNO's Autumn/Winter 2010 collection was inspired by late 1960s American interiors, traditional East African textiles, Klimt, travels to Turkey, Paris, and India, as well as our friends in NYC. With this collection we have started to design most of our prints ourselves, sometimes directly referencing our influences, but sometimes just using our inspirations as jumping off points. We are showing off the rapidly growing skills of the tailors we work with in Kenya as well as experimenting with some truly exquisite beading and embroidery.
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