Christine Lorna Abwonji

Lorna Abwonji has been a fashion designer and sole proprietor for her fashion brand, Mia Mara Creations, for eight years. Prior to that she worked as a fashion brand manager on another fashion brand, helping to set it up and establish it as a successful fashion retail store. Christine Lorna Abwonji hopes to see the fashion industry in Kenya grow and reach the next level, and collaborates with various fashion forums in Kenya to get government and the private sector involved in investing in the industry. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Lorna wants to use her managerial and communication skills to help establish the retail and manufacturing sector in the fashion industry by partnering with various individuals and organizations. The East African government seeks to ban second-hand clothing in three years, and these two areas are important in job creation for those who will be affected.