What Is Sustainability to You?
One of my recent lectures at @universitysa in South Australia reminded me just how layered, local, and deeply human sustainability really is.
Born and raised in Kibera, Africa’s largest informal settlement, I’ve seen firsthand how the world often views my community through a narrow lens of struggle. But Kibera is so much more - it’s a place bursting with creativity, resilience, and beauty.
It’s the heartbeat of LooksLike Avido - a brand I founded around 2018, driven by the belief that fashion is more than clothing. For me, fashion is a powerful tool for storytelling, self-expression, and social change.
When people think of sustainable fashion, they often start with fabric: organic cotton, recycled materials, slow production. And yes, those things matter. But for us at LooksLike Avido, sustainability begins long before the fabric is even chosen.
Our approach is built on three interconnected pillars:
economic development, social development, and environmental protection.
Living and working in Kibera - one of Nairobi’s most densely populated and underserved communities - means sustainability must be practical, inclusive, and deeply rooted in real needs.
Clean water, good health care, education, food, shelter, and job opportunities aren’t just basics; they are urgent priorities. So for us, sustainable fashion starts with building people and community.
We are proudly a slow fashion brand. Every piece we produce is handmade in Kibera by local artisans we personally train in sewing and tailoring skills. Most of our models, photographers, and creative collaborators are also sourced from the community. It’s not just about fashion - it’s a living local ecosystem of talent and opportunity.
And our commitment goes beyond production.
We dedicate 20% of all our earnings to the Avido Foundation, which supports programs focused on education, youth empowerment, skills training, and environmental protection.
Together with those we impact, we organize community cleanups - simple yet powerful acts that protect our environment and restore pride in our neighbourhoods.
So when I stood in that lecture hall in South Australia and was asked, “What does sustainable fashion really mean to you?” my answer was clear:
Sustainability is not only about fabric. It’s about people. It’s about purpose. It’s about the cycle of upliftment, where fashion becomes a tool for dignity, development, and change.
Through my journey from the streets of Kibera to international collaborations with artists such as Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, and many more, every stitch I make is deeply rooted in where I come from.
This is the message I carry in my lectures around the world: sustainability isn’t a luxury or just a trend. It’s a lived practice.
At LooksLike Avido, we are:
Built by hand, led by heart, rooted in where we belong.
By David Avido