Most of us have accepted COVID-19 face masks as an inconvenient, albeit necessary, safety measure. For the style conscious like James Maina Mwangi, however, they are an unmissable fashion opportunity. | Above: Mwangi posing as he displays his attire comprising at least 160 suits with matching accessories including a mask at his residence in Nairobi.
Image Credit: REUTERS
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Mwangi's brightly coloured suits and hats made him stand out even on the busy streets of Nairobi's Umoja neighbourhood, where nobody ever seems to sleep.
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Since the pandemic hit and Kenya made face masks mandatory, his outfits have become even more eye-catching. This week, the 59-year-old jack of all trades modelled his collection of face masks for Reuters.
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"Men knew how to wear clothes in black, brown, grey or dark blue. Those were men's colours," he told Reuters while wearing a bright yellow suit with matching hat and face mask.
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"God gave me wisdom and showed me all the different colours I can wear to be different from everybody else," added Mwangi. | Above: Mwangi pose with motorcycle taxi riders in Nairobi.
Image Credit: REUTERS
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Mwangi, who dropped out of school at 12 because he could not pay the fees, said he only had one shirt when he was a child, which he would wash it daily and put on still damp.
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People would laugh at him, but he promised himself that "one day I will be a star."
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He now has about 160 suits, over 200 pairs of shoes, and 300 hats in colours ranging from saffron yellow to grass green, scarlet and plum.
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Mwangi said his clothes drew curiosity, then admirers when he first started wearing them 25 years ago.
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"Now you can see me wearing all kinds of colours," he said. | Above: Suits are seen hanging inside Mwangi's house.
Image Credit: REUTERS
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Mwangi, who earns a living as a jack of all trades, says he lends his suits to members of his church and street children who need them.
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"Things have become harder now because of COVID-19. This country has no money," he said. | Above: Coloured mobile phone cases are seen inside Mwangi's house.
Image Credit: REUTERS
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Mwangi prepares to display his attire comprising at least 160 suits with matching accessories.
Image Credit: REUTERS
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