Art has always flowed in the blood of Wanyika Mshila. In Ngumo, where she grew up and went to school, her creativity and curiosity had no bounds. One could always find her bursting at the seams with energy and fresh, if not mischievous, ideas. She would participate in traditional dances, feeling the beat all the way to her soul. Her holidays would be spent as an opening act before plays at The Kenya National Theatre, training regularly with a theatre coach.
The time for secondary school came, and with it, some freedom was snatched from Wanyika. She attended St. George’s High School but her love for performing could not be stifled. She later joined St. Mary’s High School for her IB Diploma and chose theatre as one of her subjects. When the time came to look at universities, decide what one would study, and enter the world of adulthood, Wanyika’s sights were set on Canada. But fate had other plans. One of her friends was part of an initiative to get more students to apply to Australian institutions. To spare her friend’s feelings, she applied to the University of Wollogong, though she never planned on going there. Understandably it came as a surprise when she got an acceptance letter. Though, even this pleasant surprise couldn’t completely convince Wanyika. The land of Aussies wasn’t where her heart intended to go, but the assurance was enough for her parents. They persuaded her to go to Wollogong, rather than wait for acceptance from a Canadian university.
Nothing could have prepared Wanyika for Australia. It was, to say the least, a difficult environment to adjust to. She felt lonely and isolated without many other people of color to interact with, besides the Kenyan community at Wollogong. But Wanyika being the person that she was, opted to find a positive asylum. Fashion became a sort of solace during these months. She realized that she could express her Kenyan identity through clothes and accessories. Fond memories of Nairobi streets where everyone has their own style warmed her heart; Mshila would bring a little Kenya to the streets of Wollogong. Putting outfits together that looked effortlessly fabulous was her inherent strength. Where others couldn’t make pieces work, she pulled them off with style.
Wanyika graduated with a BSc in Marketing and Industrial Relations. Since fashion was still a hobby that she was yet to generate income from, she applied for a typical 9 to 5. The first job interview she was called for required a mandatory personality evaluation. The evidence of her nature was revealed in the results, and she would undoubtedly tire easily from the routine system of the job. The results also showed that Wanyika was the kind of person that thrived from challenges. She was, instead, offered her a Mortgage Broking position. Finding the perfect level of difficulty, she was content.
Despite this new venture, performing arts remained Wanyika’s passion. Working her way up the finance ladder, she performed with the dance group she’d joined in Australia. She also taught dance classes on the side. She began to import Kenyan goods, popularly known as Maasai Market, and after 10 years in the world of finance, she quit to pursue a creative path – fashion.
While Wanyika Mshila had never expected to enter into fashion, she took to it like a fish to water. She took a leap of faith and launched her own fashion label, Wa-Nyika, where she continues to create distinctive and versatile pieces with the guiding ideal of functional fashion. In this venture, she also remains true to her Kenyan routes. Additionally, she works as a freelance stylist and creative director.
As a creative in business, Wanyika encourages artists to be 100% authentic and brave. Through the workshops she holds, her hope is to destroy the stereotype of the starving artist and help creators actually value themselves and their work. “Discover your why. What’s your story? Where’s the passion?” she says with conviction in her voice.
We can’t celebrate Wanyika enough. Hers is a narrative of passion, of prowess, and continuous success, all with a welcoming smile.
