She goes by the name Keilah Okari, a fast-rising fashion and beauty influencer based in Nairobi. Keilah has amassed a solid following on Instagram just from her unique feed. She’s also gotten to work with renowned photographers in the city.
When it comes to slaying at events, some local blogs have featured her and christened her the “Queen of Slay,” not slay queen, FYI. She has been spotted at several Thrift Social editions and done several projects with Buo Art.
She is also a very talented writer, with her Instagram posts having a consistent theme: a process of expression through poems and prose work. Here’s a sample:
Keilah O
I remember laying in bed with him laughing about something bizarre I had said. my head was on his chest our legs intertwined.I could hear his heart beating softly. He said he had something to talk to me about.His tone was flat and serious so I sat up. ‘ why do you always feel like your being attacked because you are a woman’ His question was straight-foward and so was my reply.’Because I am’.Because when a man says to me ‘how come your winning, this is a mans game’. I become alarmed.I become angry because of the overbearingly patronizing tone he has.As if to say a woman cannot be better than a man.As if a man was supposed to win automatically by virtue of his masculinity. So I became defensive because it was necessary.I stood my ground and I was unapologetic because I am a woman and in my femininity I can be better than a man.Not because of anything but because of my intelligence and my skills.I became angry because society makes it hard for women to be completely free in their femaleness.That I must wear long skirts to cover my ankles and shirts that cover my cleavage because God forbid it that I look attractive.That a man felt the need to touch me or sexualise me asif I was wearing it for his amusement.as if to say I could not have possibly worn it for my own self- satisfaction.At a different time when I cut my hair short my then significant other was heavy in protest.How dare I ? How could I not compromise on his behalf because he preferred me in longer hair; that I looked prettier that way. wasnt it my hair afterall ? couldn’t I do with it as I pleased. so I was angry that because I am a woman I must compromise to make a man happy.the subject on gender is particular and it must be addressed as so.Because I am a woman I will extert myself to my maximum potential.Because I am a woman I will wear what makes me feel beautiful despite anyone’s opinion.Because I am a woman I will do the things that I like and not the things that are expected of me because of my gender.Because I am a woman I will dress my hair in the manner of fashion I deem fit.Because I am a woman I will embrace my femininity fully and be unafraid to showcase my femaleness through fashion.
Here are some of the best looks I’ve mined from her IG:
Keilah Okari
She’s a new age fashionista.
Keilah Okari
The classic high waist pants, sexy braids, minimalist heels and handbag plus geeky glasses completed her look.
Keilah Okari
The boyfriend tee and ankle matching boots plus a sick retro-esque background definitely killed it!
Keilah Okari
Let’s…just give credit where it’s due.
Keilah Okari
This one is my favorite.
