Kenyan-born fashion design student Nicole Tikolo, currently studying at Nottingham Trent University, has emerged as a finalist at the 2025 Fashanne Awards in the Womenswear Design category with her evocative coastal collection Urembo wa Pwani.
Now in the running for the People’s Choice Award, Nicole is rallying Kenyans, East Africans, the diaspora, and lovers of inclusive fashion worldwide to vote for her entry.
Inspired by her Taita roots and sun-drenched Christmas vacations to the Kenyan coast, Urembo wa Pwani (Swahili for The Beauty of the Coast) is a bold, intentional, and deeply personal collection. It celebrates curvy women through body-inclusive silhouettes, custom prints of madafu and the Taita White Eye bird, and textiles that evoke the breezy spirit of Diani and Lamu.
“I design for women who want to feel beautiful, confident, and seen,” says Nicole. “This collection is rooted in my story, my heritage, and a deep belief that African fashion can be both globally relevant and proudly local.”
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Nicole is among a new wave of African designers blending storytelling, purpose, and inclusivity in contemporary fashion. Her design practice focuses on wearable volume, intentional prints, and precise finishing – all tailored to celebrate African women of all shapes and sizes.
“This nomination isn’t just about me. It’s about showing the world what Kenya has to offer. It’s about telling stories with fabric, and celebrating the coastlines, curves, and creativity of African women.”
She has now marked a major milestone with her collection being showcased on an international platform of significant scale. Speaking on the impact of this moment, Nicole said the fashion designers that have positively influenced her work include Andrea Iyamah, Kim Dave, Banke Kuku and any other designers that integrate their culture into their designs.
“It’s the first time that my work is being seen on an international platform to this magnitude. It’s both humbling and incredibly affirming for me as a designer,” she says.
Nicole’s statement reflects a growing wave of African creatives proudly drawing from their heritage to shape global fashion narratives while anchoring their artistry in cultural authenticity. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be announced live at the Fashanne Awards on Thursday, June 26th, 2025.
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