Wanjiku Stephens has shared the story behind her rise in the fashion world, revealing that styling was the first passion she truly owned before her acting career took off. In an interview with TUKO.co.ke, the actress, widely known for her role as Vanessa in Maria, said her love for fashion began in childhood and was shaped by her mother, who taught her how to combine different pieces and create stylish looks for different occasions.
Although many people recognise her mainly from television, Wanjiku said she has long built a second identity behind the scenes as a stylist and designer. She was born and raised in Kagere, Ugaciku sub location in Othaya, Nyeri County, and explained that her early exposure to styling helped shape the career path she later followed professionally.
She described fashion as something deeply personal, saying her mother introduced her to the world of style at a young age and helped her learn how to reimagine clothing for different settings. That early guidance, she said, played a major role in nurturing the passion that would later become the foundation of her career.
Wanjiku also made it clear that styling came before acting in her professional journey. She said she worked as a stylist before becoming an actress, and that modelling came even earlier, giving her a practical understanding of the fashion industry long before she became a familiar face on screen.
For her, styling is not just a side hustle or a backup plan. She called it her number one baby, stressing that it remains the craft closest to her heart. That passion has also helped her develop the technical and creative skills she believes are essential for success in the field. Among the abilities she highlighted were creativity, a strong sense of colour and style, good communication, fashion knowledge, patience, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of trends.
One of the biggest highlights of her fashion career has been her long term working relationship with media personality and Citizen TV news presenter Lulu Hassan. Wanjiku said she landed the opportunity after showing a strong personal fashion sense and proving that she could dress herself well. She revealed that she has worked with Lulu for seven years and described the experience as both challenging and rewarding.
According to Wanjiku, Lulu’s style pushes her creatively, but she always finds a way to deliver looks that her client enjoys wearing. That experience, she said, has been one of the most meaningful parts of her journey in styling.
Beyond her work with Lulu, Wanjiku said she has contributed to several major projects and campaigns. These include work for Downy and Woolworths, as well as styling roles on productions such as The Lulu Show and Zari on DStv, where she said she styled the entire sets. She added that every project matters to her because each one comes with unique challenges that help her grow professionally.
Among her favourite assignments, she singled out the Downy Lavender campaign, which she said she secured because of her fashion expertise and with support from Lulu Hassan. For her, the project stood out as a proud moment in a career built on consistency, skill and creative discipline.
Wanjiku also spoke candidly about criticism, saying it is part of the job when one’s work is visible. Rather than seeing criticism as purely negative, she views it as proof that people are paying attention. In her view, what matters most is how a professional chooses to handle the feedback they receive.
Like many people in the fashion industry, she said she sometimes faces last minute emergencies before major events. To stay prepared, she always works with backup plans, explaining that she keeps Plan A, Plan B and Plan C ready to ensure smooth delivery even when unexpected issues arise.
Her story reflects a career built not on sudden fame, but on years of practice, creativity and persistence. From childhood lessons in styling to high profile fashion work with major personalities and campaigns, Wanjiku Stephens has shown that her journey in fashion is not separate from her acting career, but part of the same larger story of talent and growth.