Kenyan fashion designer Wandia Gichuru, recently named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50: Global 2025 list, is making significant strides in the fashion industry locally and globally. Through her brand, Vivo, she has achieved remarkable success by exporting her designs from Nairobi to Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2011, Wandia who was in her 40s left a prestigious career to venture into the fashion world.
Alongside a friend, she launched an online retail operation in Kenya. What began as a small idea morphed into Vivo Fashion Group, a leading women’s apparel company in East Africa.
Today, Vivo operates 29 stores across the region, employs approximately 450 people—70% of whom are women—and continues to expand its reach.
Wandia Gichuru vision
In an interview with CNN, Wandia shared her vision: “I want us to dress ourselves number one and dress the rest of the world. I have travelled quite a lot in Europe and the US as well. Most of what is being worn there is not made in the US. So if they are sourcing from other parts of the world why not make Africa those source destinations to source from?”
Wandia turned this vision into reality by opening her first US-based Vivo outlet in Atlanta in May 2024.
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The launch was attended by Kenyan President William Ruto, who praised her for taking Kenyan fashion global.
“Wandia Gichuru and her team represent the best of what Kenya has to offer. These products are of Kenyan origin, made by Kenyan talent, and now in partnership with Americans,” Ruto stated.
About Viva CEO
Wandia Gichuru is the Co-Founder and CEO of Vivo Fashion Group, a retail business established in 2011. Vivo’s flagship brands—Vivo Woman, Safari, and Zoya—are designed to suit and empower modern Africans, offering stylish, comfortable, functional, and affordable clothing.
With 30 physical stores across Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and the US, Vivo also operates a manufacturing facility where the majority of its products are made.
Beyond Vivo, Wandia co-founded ShopZetu, a multi-brand e-commerce platform featuring trendy and affordable fashion, beauty, and accessories.
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Before entering the fashion industry, Wandia spent over 15 years as an international development advisor, working with the UK government, the UN, and the World Bank. In addition to leading Vivo, she is a certified life coach and business mentor.
She actively fosters partnerships within Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world, aiming to create jobs, empower entrepreneurs, and contribute to a thriving continent.
Education Background
Wandia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Western University. Additionally, she earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Cape Town.
She completed her high school education at Loreto Convent Msongari.
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