We were delighted to be invited to meet the British High Commissioner to Tanzania, His Excellency David Concar, in Dar es Salaam where our colorful made to measure garments are handmade by our team of highly skilled tailors.
Continue reading to find out why David enjoys wearing Kitenge Store’s vibrant shirts during meetings and events in Tanzania and see behind-the-scenes footage of our visit to his Residence and David’s visit to our master tailor’s workshop in Dar es Salaam!
It was an honour to visit the British High Commissioner to Tanzania at his Residence in Dar es Salaam where we met David for the first time. We were warmly welcomed and positively discussed Tanzania’s cotton and textile industry.
Introducing Kitenge Store to David Concar, British High Commissioner to Tanzania
Kitenge Store’s founder, Sian, explained how her social enterprise began as a small market stall in her hometown in the UK which later grew to large music festivals including Glastonbury and WOMAD.
Sian also explained why we believe supporting the ethical and sustainable fashion movement is important and Kitenge Store’s exciting plans for the future; opening a new workshop and a sewing academy for disadvantaged women in Tanzania.
Read our story to find out why Kitenge Store exists.
Kitenge Store’s master tailor, Abdallah, sat next to the production manager, Zero
After an interesting discussion, which included some of the challenges we face as a small international e-commerce business, our master tailor, Abdallah, took the measurements of the British High Commissioner. David already likes to wear African inspired accessories including neckties made of traditional batik fabrics so he was excited to start wearing Kitenge Store’s bold and colorful African print shirts to meetings and events.
Discover Abdallah’s inspiring story and how he managed to set up his own workshop from scratch.
When Abdallah had finished taking David’s custom measurements, we stood together for a group photograph inside the Residence. As you can see in the photograph, David is very tall so our made to measure shirts will be the perfect length for him. This is the first time David has experienced a made to measure clothing service so he was excited to try on the finished shirts.
From left to right: Sian (Kitenge Store’s founder), Abdallah (Kitenge Store’s master tailor), His Excellency David Concar (British High Commissioner to Tanzania), and Zero (Kitenge Store’s production manager).
Shortly after we visited David at his Residence, Abdallah started to handcraft two men’s colorful shirts at his workshop. David was happy for us to surprise him with the choice of fabrics so we chose our popular red/blue and green floral African wax print fabrics. Once the unique shirts were ready, we hand-delivered the shirts to his Residence in Dar es Salaam where they were photographed by the British High Commission.
Kitenge Store’s African print shirts for men
David was keen to visit Abdallah’s workshop to see where the magic happens! We arranged for David to visit the workshop which was a wonderful experience and a memory we will cherish forever. It was wonderful for Abdallah to receive a visit from the British High Commissioner to Tanzania. All his dedication and hard work over the years was paying off, he truly deserved it and we couldn’t have been happier for him.
The British High Commissioner to Tanzania’s visit to Kitenge Store’s master tailor’s workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
David brought his new Kitenge custom made shirts with him to personally thank Abdallah for his exquisite and intricate work. David was very impressed with the high-quality fabrics and finishing of the shirts and was looking forward to wearing them in Tanzania to support our ethical clothing brand. After taking some photographs and videos we escorted David and his team to their car; this is typical of Tanzania’s warm culture.
Saying goodbye to the British High Commissioner to Tanzania after he visited the workshop
The British High Commissioner to Tanzania has been spotted wearing his Kitenge made to measure shirts during London Fashion Week, which celebrates it’s 40th anniversary in February 2024! Here are some photos showing the British High Commissioner presenting employee of the month certificates at the British High Commission in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
British High Commissioner to Tanzania wearing Kitenge Store’s Red/Blue Long Sleeve Shirt
Our versatile African print shirts can be dressed up for formal occasions with a pair of smart trousers and shoes, as shown in the photos below, or worn casually with a pair of jeans and sneakers. The 100% cotton shirts are very comfortable to wear in both hot and cool climates. They also look fantastic due to their perfect fit.
Learn more about our perfect fit guarantee.
While you’re here, why not browse our vibrant collection of men’s African print shirts and plain-colored shirts with optional African print contrasts? We sell women’s made to measure shirts too. Currently, there is a great special offer, when you purchase your first made to measure shirt you can get another shirt for FREE (use code: MTMFIRST)!
Find out more about this great special offer.
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