KEZA is an ethical fashion label. We leverage the fashion industry to fight poverty and enhance the image of developing nations through branding, celebrity connections and product design. KEZA is the voice of dignity.

KEZA works with non-profit organizations that assist locally owned arts and crafts (fashion oriented) businesses in developing nations. Many aid agencies have successfully helped artisans achieve sustainability, but they are still far from profitable, having the capacity for larger orders or positively impacting the image of their country.

KEZA provides these aid agencies with operations manuals and trainings that enable them to implement assembly lines and better systems for production. We bring designers from the US to teach the artisans how to refine their skills and design products worthy of the international luxury fashion market.

Our efforts fuel the value and impact of the KEZA brand, and consequently that of the artisans we represent. Our fashion shows, celebrity connections and relationships with vendors help to build the capacity of each artisan's business. As their businesses grow, they are able to employ the poorest of the poor in their area. This creates a solid business infrastructure, owned and operated by the people.

KEZA puts a lot of focus on connecting our partners and products with the celebrity world. There is a tremendous impact in a celebrity endorsement. Can you think of a better way to make your product popular and desired than to have Oprah, Beyonce, Jay Z or Brad Pitt wearing it on the red carpet or in an advertisement? The power of celebrity serves as a remarkable branding and marketing tool.

The fashion industry is a $298 Billion a year business in the United State alone and is accompanied by a tremendous amount of media attention. Developing nations are ripe with talent and resources and greatly benefit from positive media attention.

We want customers to wear KEZA because it's exclusive, quality and stunning; because they want it. They should be proud, knowing their purchase affords a path to prosperity and dignity for underprivileged artisans in developing nations. This is what the KEZA brand is all about.

Branding

• The KEZA brand represents the beauty and excellence of developing nations.
• Allows the artisans to tell their story through the products they create.
• Showcase the products at high profile, red carpet events in the US and abroad.
• Produce KEZA fashion shows and collaborate on other fashion shows.
• Attract and secure high profile press (TV, Magazines, Papers, Etc.)

Celebrity

• Foster relationships with celebrities that promote KEZA products and events.
• Create relationships with boutiques, department stores and other buyers.
• Place products in high profile sales events.
• Sell through our commission based sales representatives.

Design

• Conduct workshops and training to create assembly lines, processes and strategic systems for manufacturing consistent quality products.
• Recruit designers to assist in developing luxury fashion products for the artisans to sell.
• Product design critique by industry experts to ensure viability in the international market.

KEZA got its start in Kigali, Rwanda in March of 2006. We've now turned our original paper based jewelry program over to Jane Mutesi, an amazing Rwandan entrepreneur that has excelled at literally every task she has been handed. She is one of the founding members of KEZA, and that now owns the business. Jane's business supplies KEZA with all of our paper based jewelry products.

Now we are able to expand outside of Rwanda, while still fostering Jane's business. Africa will always have a special place in our hearts, and we intend to operate there indefinitely. We are moving our operations to Mombasa, Kenya in the fall of 2010. This will be extremely advantageous due to it being one of the largest ports in East Africa, ripe with materials and business savvy.

Our focus is on "developing nations," a term used to describe a nation with a low level of material wealth, health care, education and resources. They are often referred to as "second-world" nations. In the future, KEZA plans to expand into South America, Mexico and Asia. Wherever we go, we are there to serve the people and to elevate the image of their country.