Reinventing the fashion system.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF
LILABARE
We are slow design studio born in 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya. Here, tradition meets regeneration. Every piece we create is a commitment the land, the maker, and the story.
WHO WE ARE
LilaBare is a Nairobi-based design house creating consciously crafted clothing through small-batch production, artisanal processes, and long-term relationships with makers. We work at the intersection of contemporary design and traditional technique, focusing on pieces that are seasonless, versatile, and made to last.
Our work is guided by the belief that clothing should carry meaning...not only in how
it looks, but in how it is made, who makes it, and how it lives over time. From farm-to-finish, we creates timeless pieces that appreciate in value over time.
At LilaBare we value process over
speed, craftsmanship over volume, and longevity over trend. The design house is built on the joy of creating in harmony with the natural world, the fulfilment in the act of disruption and the purpose in intentional making.
Materials & Origin
Material & composition is the foundation to designing with purpose.
We work in natural fibres and locally sourced textiles, with our focus on rain-fed cotton and weaving agricultural waste fibres, all of which suit our botanical dyeing process. Our fabrics are mostly engineered in-house and are 85% East African origin, 15% India origin. They are designed not for aesthetic qualities, but for the feeling of freedom as you wear them. Crafted to evolve along with each garment’s lifespan from cradle to rebirth, imbued with the story of our makers & artisans in every thread.
Many of our collections incorporate vintage, heirloom, or reclaimed materials, particularly
saris and textiles with existing histories. These materials are carefully restored and reworked into new forms, allowing us to extend their lifecycle while honouring their origins.
All of our buttons & details are fabricated from upcycled metals, reclaimed shells & post-consumption leather, coconut & wood waste.
our process
Step i
Source nature's best
Naturally-grown, rain-fed materials, botanicals & agricultural waste from our land here in Kenya. A rebirth from heritage craft to agricultural waste. Our latest innovations include clothing made from pineapple stalks & peel, old sinks & padlocks, used coffee grounds and much more.
STEP II
REINVENT HERITAGE
Bridging the gap between tradition & innovation, we revive ancestral techniques and transform them into contemporary wearable craft.
Our zero-waste approach uses green technology to develop designs in the digital space without having to use tangible resources.
We also turn to ancient craft practices across East Africa & India, alchemising them in new ways alongside our makers.
STEP III
Craft with care
Spun, woven, loomed, dyed, and sewn by skilled artisans in Kenya. Our techniques reimagine tradition and engineer innovation in handcraft. Each piece appreciates in value over time: each thread is a living tapestry of the eco-system, the hands & the skills who made them.
TRANSFORMING 'WASTE'
We specialize in reinvention & circularity. Our latest innovation is the Ananas Blazer, crafted from handwoven pineapple waste.
A holistic approach to sustainable fashion creation, LilaBare is built on the joy of creating in harmony with the natural world, the fulfillment in the act of disruption and the purpose in intentional making.
in-house developed
Botanical Dyeing
We specialise in botanical dyeing, most of which we do at our Nairobi atelier.
All colour is dyed in small batches using plant dyes & agricultural excess such as avocado skins & seeds, tea residue, invasive
plant species. We use mineral modifiers, and controlled processes that respond to temperature, pH, water, and fibre type. Each colour develops organically, resulting in subtle variations that are a natural part of the process.
Because botanical dyeing is inherently variable, no two pieces are exactly alike. This variability is intentional, it reflects the material, the hands, and the unique story that each garment holds.
Craft & Construction
Our garments are constructed using a combination of hand and machine techniques, depending on each design.
Our crochet pieces are entirely made by hand, and all our designs incorporate handcraft in both fabrication & details.
Embellishment such as embroidery, beadwork, buttons, finishing, and surface treatments are completed by hand. Construction methods are chosen for their ties to heritage craft which we reinvent to create pieces of durability, comfort, and longevity rather than speed.
Production is done in small runs to maintain quality and garment integrity. This approach also enables us to place craftsmanship at the forefront of every single piece.
ETHOS
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
LilaBare designs are seasonless by intention.
We create pieces that can move across contexts; from day to evening, resort to city, layered or worn alone. Silhouettes are relaxed yet considered, allowing for comfort, movement, and tactile wear across body types.
Rather than following seasonal trends, we focus on building a cohesive design language that evolves slowly over time.
PURPOSE
Why We Create
Each LilaBare design is created to become your future heirloom. To honour the deep wisdom of our makers; of materials, hands, and the disruption of traditional craft. We believe clothing should be made with utmost care, worn with intention, and stay relevant regardless of the times. Whenever you feel ready to pass on your piece, it can be passed on with love or buried in the earth to fortify the soil in which you plant it.
Each creation is intended to bridge the gap between tradition & progression, blurring the
lines of cultural craft & honouring the circularity in nature.
ABOUT THE
DESIGNER
Ria Ana Sejpal-Sullivan is a multidisciplinary artist, storyteller and 'mad scientist' behind LilaBare. Her work within the label reimagines craft through deviant design and circular luxury. Through the lens of her South Asian, Kenyan & British roots, her craft bridges heritage and innovation, transforming often overlooked materials into pieces of story & soul. Each of her designs is grounded in the universal language of th human form, and brought to life through hyper-local fabrications, innovations with artisan communities and a deep exploration of resource value chains. Her creations
are an ode to the belief that we can live and create in harmony with the natural world in which we belong.
A NOTE ON
SUSTAINABLE FASHION
“The word sustainable is so often used out of context these days that its meaning for me is diluted.
My craft and practice are deeply explorative; I create within my eco-system of farmers, agricultural waste, artisans, heritage craft & green technology. I believe it is my duty as a creator to contribute to the world in a way that is in symbiosis with the natural world, which we so often forget humans are a part
of. The result is clothing that holds so much more value than its aesthetic, and meaningful pieces that live beyond seasons & trends.
Every input into my creations is considered & intentional – we can be good to the planet and its people whilst creating fashion that is beneficial to all. My purpose is to redesign the way we make & wear clothes; LilaBare is the embodiment of the system.
Each and every LilaBare creation is imbued with the spirit of faith, reinvention, innovation. Our design house takes deep pride sharing the craft of our makers & the pieces of earth woven into each thread.
I hope each piece brings you joy for years & generations to come”
~ Ria Ana Sejpal-Sullivan
Creative Director, Founder
OUR VALUES
LilaBare is independently owned and produced in Kenya. Established 2017.