President William Samoei Ruto has always had impeccable taste, whether he's in be-spoke suits or tailor-made shirts and casual looks. He's always looking dapper.
Well, have you ever wondered who is behind our president's elegant fashion sense?
Meet Kenyan entrepreneur Carol Pulei who owns and manages Naneuleshan Apparel the powerhouse behind Ruto's outfits as well as Riggy G's new wardrobe sense.
Noticed how they have both sorts of now adopted a new dressing style embracing tailor-made shirts and khaki trousers on several occasions? That is all Carol's work.
Carol Pulei wasn't always a fashionista though. In a past interview with Parents Africa, she revealed that she used to be a hotelier and she loved her job.
Being a designer, however, was just a hobby back then, something to keep her entertained. But her passion grew and she finally left her job to follow her itch.
"Fashion and design was my hobby as I worked as a hotelier.
I was really passionate about fashion designing and thus quit my job in 2013 and began to fully focus on it," Carol told the magazine.
After quitting her job, she invested Sh 800,000 from her savings into Naneuleshan Apparel a move she doesn't regret.
Now a decade later, she is one of the most sought-after designers in Kenya with her clients ranging from high-profile dignitaries such as President Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, retired president Uhuru Kenyatta, Interior and National Coordination Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and several members of parliament.
On how she met the former head of state, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, the stylist reveals former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko introduced them to each other.
The flamboyant politician was one of her clients and she gave him a shirt to present to the Jubilee Party leader.
"I estimated the (retired) president’s size. I had seen him during my days as a hotelier in the hotels where I used to work and also on TV and I knew what size to work with," Pulei said.
Her fashion house only focuses on men's outfits because when she was starting she felt it was an unexplored potential.
"Most shops dealt with women's clothes... it was almost saturated and men were almost left not catered to. That is why I chose men's wear," Carol reveals.
She found a market gap to explore and it worked out for her besides making her own designs, she also imports clothes.
Carol maintains that she loves to design and wouldn't have it any other way. According to her bringing a concept to life is the most fulfilling thing ever.
"For me, sitting down with a client and understanding what they want, what they love, their favorite colour and design make it quite enjoyable. It’s also fulfilling seeing a concept come to life," she explained.
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