Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — Celebrating its 18th year, Swahili Fashion Week 2025 once again became a global stage for fashion innovation — and at the centre of it, Guyana-born designer Kerby Young shone brightly once more.

Last year, Young made history as the first Caribbean designer to be featured at this prestigious event. Returning this year with “The Journey,” a collection symbolising his evolution from Guyana to his established presence in Trinidad and Tobago with Kerby Young Designs (KYD), he once again captivated audiences.

While inspired by the vivid colour palette of Santorini, Greece, Young’s collection featured hues of deep Mediterranean blue reminiscent of tranquil waters, crisp whites echoing the iconic Grecian architecture, bright greens evoking lush island foliage, and rich reds symbolising the vibrant flowers nestled among Santorini’s stone houses. Young also infused the collection with traditional artisan techniques. He incorporated tie-dyeing and fabric manipulation and collaborated with Crochet Peace to add beautifully handcrafted crochet elements to several pieces, making each garment a testament to cultural fusion.

As the models walked to the rhythm of African drums and the soulful voice of Ella Andall and the late Devon Matthews’ “D Journey,” each piece told a story of heritage and modernity. The finale, set to “Lala” by Square One, had the audience clapping along, celebrating not just fashion but a journey of self-belief and resilience.

Half of the collection found new homes in Africa, and upon returning to Trinidad, Young plans to produce more pieces — though some signature designs will remain exclusive to this Tanzanian debut.

“This experience is one I will carry with me forever,” Young shared. “It’s a testament to never giving up on your dreams, and I’m grateful for the warm welcome in Tanzania and the support from my Caribbean and Guyanese roots.”

With a growing social media following and a successful pop-up shop accompanying his showcase, “The Journey” is just the beginning of even greater ventures. Swahili Fashion Week was held on 5th, 6th, and 7th December at Parthenon Hall, Dar es Salaam; Kerby showed on the 7th, marking another milestone in his illustrious career.

Stay tuned for more updates as Kerby Young returns to the Caribbean to continue his creative odyssey.

Swahili Fashion Week, renowned for its embrace of sustainability, provided the perfect backdrop for Young’s vision. “It was a wonderful bridge of cultures,” Young remarked, “and I was warmly welcomed in Tanzania. The shared emphasis on sustainability made it a natural fit, and I’m sure I’ll be back — maybe even a few feet taller, wink wink.” [PRESS RELEASE]