Kenyan fashion entrepreneur Wandia Gichuru has been named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50: Global 2025 list, cementing her impact in the fashion industry as a champion of African-made apparel.
Through Vivo Fashion Group, the brand she co-founded in 2011, Gichuru has successfully expanded her designs from Nairobi to Atlanta, Georgia, marking a milestone for Kenyan fashion on the global stage.
From Development Advisor to Fashion Mogul
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In her 40s, Gichuru took a bold step—leaving a distinguished career as an international development advisor to launch an online fashion retail operation in Kenya. That small startup evolved into Vivo Fashion Group, now a leading women’s apparel company in East Africa, boasting 29 stores, employing 450 people—70% of them women, and expanding into new markets.
Gichuru’s vision for African fashion on the world stage has been clear from the start. In an interview with CNN, she shared her driving force:
“I want us to dress ourselves first and dress the rest of the world… If they are sourcing from other parts of the world, why not make Africa those source destinations to source from?”
In May 2024, she turned that vision into reality by launching Vivo’s first U.S. outlet in Atlanta, a move celebrated 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 at the launch event.
A Business Empire Rooted in African Excellence
Gichuru’s fashion empire includes Vivo Woman, Safari, and Zoya, brands designed to empower the modern African woman with stylish, functional, and affordable clothing. Beyond Vivo, she co-founded ShopZetu, an e-commerce platform that provides affordable fashion, beauty, and accessories.
With a manufacturing facility in Kenya, Gichuru’s work is not only about fashion—it’s about economic empowerment. She actively fosters partnerships within Africa and beyond, creating jobs and supporting entrepreneurs across the continent.
From Nairobi to the World
A graduate of Western University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Gichuru went on to earn an MBA from the University of Cape Town. She also holds a certification as a life coach and business mentor, further demonstrating her commitment to empowering African talent.
Her recognition in Forbes’ 50 Over 50 is an acknowledge of her success and her unwavering belief that African fashion deserves a place on the global stage.