Quentin Kwong’s journey to becoming a design icon in Dar es Salaam

In a world where fashion often prioritises trends over tales, Quentin Kayin Kwong stands out as a beacon of creativity and compassion.

“I understand the importance of trends, but you can’t let them overshadow your identity. It’s all about balancing trends with storytelling,” explains the Hong Kong-born, Dar es Salaam-based fashion designer.

As the founder and creative director of the MLIMA brand, Quentin doesn’t just design clothes; she crafts stories, empowers local artisans, and uplifts communities in the process.

Born and raised in Hong Kong and with a decade of experience in the fashion industry spanning across Asia, Europe, and America, Quentin brings a wealth of expertise to her work.

She has worked with various global fashion brands, such as Michael Young Design Studio, Stuart Weitzman, Melissa, and Maryling.

The designer came to Tanzania in 2019, where she launched her fashion brand, MLIMA, which is Swahili for mountain.

Driven by the belief that fashion is more than just looking good, Quentin founded MLIMA with a mission to empower local craftsmanship and celebrate cultural creativity.

Each piece in her collection is a testament to this ethos, weaving together traditional craftsmanship with modern design techniques to create garments that tell a story.

“We don’t produce mass collections because all my designs are handcrafted. I aim to create something meaningful with a purpose, so you can feel it when you wear it. My designs often empower local craftsmanship because I value their creativity, which is why I’ve worked with so many different artisans here.”

Her fashion collections draw inspiration from her adventures, nature, colours, and patterns viewed through a whimsical lens. Quentin mixes traditional craftsmanship and locally sourced materials with modern design techniques.

MLIMA switched from interior design to become a reputable fashion brand in 2021. According to Quentin, when she arrived in the country, she fell in love with the materials available here, which prompted her to start creating spaces for making meaningful memories.

“When I saw timber like Mninga, I thought, why not use local materials and craftsmanship to create something sustainable? By combining these resources with my unique design style, I knew I could produce innovative forms. There’s so much potential here,” she says.

Over time, she chose to establish a fashion brand because she had always been passionate about creating sustainable designs and collections.

Explaining the inspiration behind her brand’s name, Quentin reveals that it’s deeply connected to her birthplace.

“I am from Mountain City, which is where I grew up. My childhood was defined by the sight of two towering mountains. I used to sit by the window each night, comforted by the view of the moon over those peaks. So when I was in Kilimanjaro, I felt a deep connection to the landscape. Learning that Mlima means mountain sealed the deal for me—I knew it was the perfect name,” she explains.

The sight of the mountain resonates with her sense of stability and spirituality, honouring both her past and her future. But that doesn’t mean her brand is restricted by geography; rather, it embraces sustainability and local craftsmanship.

Despite being a small-scale production company, most of her designs are handcrafted, ranging from clothing to accessories and objects.

"It's closer to five to ten people, and they're not full-time employees. They also work on other projects, but I can still provide them with reasonable compensation," she explains.

Quentin explains that each item draws from the diversity and creativity of a local artisan collective, enabling it to tell a unique and compelling human story.

“I am talking about handmade linen products, tranquil and unique designs, shirts and jackets made from second-hand jeans, necklaces, tableware, furniture, and gifts. Each piece is entirely handcrafted from start to finish.”

Other designs involve recycled materials, dead stock, and locally sourced materials to reduce their carbon footprint.

“When a person buys a MLIMA brand, we want them to feel meaningful due to all the sweat we put into designing these masterpieces,” says Quentin.

She notes that her collections usually take about three months to complete, a deliberate timeline that aligns with her family life, allowing for thorough testing of fabric samples.

“The process is long because we aim to create something unique with the fabrics, something you can’t find anywhere else. This involves a lot of testing and refinement, which is why it takes longer,” she explains.

I saw a bag design that took nearly 21 days to complete—just one bag, entirely sewn by hand with a needle. Her home office is filled with collections that are hand-dyed, with fabrics so rich in texture and colour that you can’t help but be captivated by them.

Recounting the hurdles she encountered while launching her brand in the country, Quentin says that she will always remember the incident when some people swindled her money and vanished.

“I went to a police station once; people just took my money and disappeared,” she giggles and adds, “There’s a lot of trial and error, and much of what I do is new to the artists I work with. Most people bring a photo and ask you to recreate something similar, but my process is different—I almost treat it like freehand sketching.”

At one point, she considered calling it quits, but she eventually met the right people, and after five years, they managed to make sustainable fashion designs.

MLIMA has participated in the 2022 Tanzania Fashion Festival, South Africa Men's Week this year, and Swahili Fashion Week in 2023.

This month, Quentin will launch her pop-up store in Slipway to showcase her collections. She doesn’t have a store yet.

“Most of my pieces are pre-orders because I don’t make lots of collections since they are all handcrafted. I will share the date and let people come for the pop-up. I don’t have a store yet; most people come to me directly through my Instagram account and references.”

As Quentin's story continues to unfold, one thing remains clear: fashion isn't just about what you wear—it's about the stories you tell, the communities you uplift, and the world you shape.