LA-Based Cherahani Dreams Helps Women Express Themselves

*Sponsored post – Cherahani Dreams is a clothing and accessories brand that brings to life the fruits of imagination from its owner, Annelouise Mwangi’s creative mind. Featuring beautiful, bold and playful designs, her approach to making clothes is very organic and artistic. She enjoys the production process and allows each design to chart its path from concept to finish. This sort of creativity is no surprise since she had initially thought of being a painter, an interest that feeds naturally into fashion.

“I’ve always liked the idea of wearing your art as a means of self-expression. Art on a canvas is a way of communicating or evoking certain feelings and emotions. Fashion also does the same thing that art does because our clothing involves much meaning and interpretation. I enjoy playing with colourful and print fabrics in fashion design to create pieces for the Cherahani Dreams woman,” says Mwangi.

It all started around 2011. Annelouise Mwangi, who is originally from Kenya had completed her education in Fashion and Retail Studies at the Ohio State University and was deciding whether or not to move to New York or California to pursue a career in fashion. After assessing the job market, she chose the latter option and went beyond the idea of being someone’s assistant to designing her own brand concepts. With further encouragement from her friends, she created a collection and even opened an Etsy store, although the focus at the time wasn’t on African fashion. 

Today, Cherahani Dreams leans heavily on African print fabrics. Mwangi loves cotton, linen and silk because they are natural and breathable, comfortable and versatile, especially in warmer climates. Speaking more about colour and print fabrics, Mwangi believes that culturally, Africans stand out as an expressive group of people. She adds that she enjoys finding an exciting and intriguing fabric, and then deciding the best design it is most suitable for. After carefully sourcing the fabrics from U.S.-based vendors, Mwangi makes all the clothing by hand. Currently, Cherahani Dreams does not work with any mass production partners, making the business a sustainable, slow fashion option.

“I often create designs that surprise both myself and others and this is so because it is fascinating to be able to start with the colour and print of the fabrics and then figure out how to use it in a garment,” says Mwangi. “The Cherahani Dreams woman appreciates art and colours, is very adventurous, and not afraid to stand out from the crowd. She knows that she will always evoke an emotion with her clothes. Therefore, she goes for unique styles and is confident wearing them.”

Mwangi explained that one theme that unites all her ideal clients together is a deep respect and appreciation for colours, prints, and patterns, and especially the cultural significance behind them, even when they may not fully understand it. Cherahani Dreams aims to provide handmade clothing and accessories for all who find pride in their African ancestry and those who also appreciate it. 

Therefore, all women are encouraged to try Cherahani Dreams if they want something to spice up their wardrobe or a unique piece to help them self-express. People might be surprised to discover how flexible and spontaneous Mwangi is with building her brand. She listens to customers and followers and considers their opinions. Regarding her personal style, Mwangi describes her taste as “a little eclectic.”

“Style constantly evolves based on one’s lifestyle and daily activities. For example, a photographer’s style would be very different from a working woman’s who’s always at the office. Nevertheless, I always want to wear a bold print or a loud colour; these days, it tends to be monochromatic and mood-based. I wear a comfortable, casual, and colourful statement look by pairing colours. There is no such thing as clashing colours. All colours complement each other,” says Mwangi.

Looking for African fashion in Los-Angeles and beyond? Look no further!

For anyone seeking to connect directly with Mwangi, the Cherahani Dreams brand can be found on all social media platforms as @CherahaniDreams. The Etsy store carries a range of products, from cropped pants and kimonos to dresses, skirts and tops with a good selection of earrings. With a stellar review rating and a smooth history of communicating and also dispatching orders on time with tracking, you are sure to have a positive experience.

One thing that stands out throughout her journey as a fashion designer is the fact that the way people dress often reflects how they view themselves. Mwangi wants people to genuinely look and feel good in their clothes because according to her, “there is more to clothing than just covering up our nakedness.”