Sandrah Nasimiyu and Izzy Kelai: Creating possibilities through fashion
The Fashion Circuit will debut on April 18, at the Olsen-Larsen Galleries in Valley Junction, West Des Moines.
By Peyton Houangvan for Black Iowa News
“The best way to open the door for someone is to build one if it doesn’t exist.” – Sandrah Nasimiyu.
In Des Moines, visionary creative directors Sandrah Nasimiyu and Izzy Kelai are redefining the local fashion scene by opening doors for artists and designers. As the founders of “The Fashion Circuit,” they are committed to creating opportunities for emerging talent.
This spring, their highly anticipated event, The Fashion Circuit, will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 18, at Olsen-Larsen Galleries in Valley Junction.
“The idea was mostly to create a space for more fashion shows in general to fill what we have going on here in Iowa,” Nasimiyu said. “I feel like there aren’t enough fashion scenes in Iowa just in general, and the scenes that do exist and that are thriving are too spread out.”
The fashion show venues are typically spread out across different locations, but what sets the fashion circuit apart is the creation of a central, geographically focused space where various types of creators — regardless of their craft — can come together and collaborate. This central location becomes a hub that draws designers, stylists, photographers, and other creatives into one shared area, fostering interaction and innovation.
This inclusivity and collaboration across various creative fields make the fashion world unique.
“But specifically, to also have fashion shows like a pop-up type idea where it is not just one location, but we change up the venue every single time to spaces that we think you should check out in the city that might not get enough attention.”
Through their work, it is not just showcasing fashion — it’s building a community and a movement, Nasimiyu said.
“It’s special because it’s our very first one, and this location is special because it’s during gallery week,“ said Nasimiyu.
What makes this event stand out is the involvement of such a diverse community. There are so many different people and creatives participating, allowing them to showcase their work. Additionally, attendees have the unique opportunity to create their own piece of art to take home through a painting project with Siracasso. This interactive experience adds a personal touch to the event, allowing everyone to be a part of the creative process.
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Many creatives are showcasing their work, and at the same time, attendees get the chance to actively participate.
“So by the end of it you get to see great designers listen to great music see some of these amazing artist that are being featured in the Olsen-Larson galleries, but you also get to take away a piece of art that you created from that day as well and I feel that is what makes it so special.” Nasimiyu states.
This blend of experience and creativity is what truly makes this event so unique.
Through their work together, creative directors Nasimiyu and Kelai are building this community from the ground up. Together, these creative talents with their combined efforts transcend the conventional fashion show, turning it into a space where like-minded individuals can come together.
“This event started with just like an idea I kept in the vault of my mind for a very long time. I think that saying of it’s not a dumb idea finally really kicked in with the help of Izzy, it very much was something that I want to exist and something I wanted to see, but I waited for somebody else to do it and I hadn’t thought about myself doing it until a good friend gave me a good push and shoutout to Izzy for it,” she said.
Kelai shares the story of how the two creative directors met and brought to life an idea from the depths of Nasimiyu’s mind.
“Once we started working together for my ballet team, one day we had a conversation. One day she brought up how she wants to do a fashion show, next minute later I was like, Yo, we should do it because I would love to help, and I would love to be part of it,” he said.
He explained how he immediately understood the vision Nasimiyu had and how he wanted to contribute to it.
Kelai states, ”So when she told me about it, I said let’s do it and we both got serious and we started really getting together, the first day, we linked up, we went to the art center, and when we went to the art center.”
“We were just looking around . . . scouting some locations for future fashion shows. A bird pooped on Sandrah’s shoulder . . . And she was in disbelief . . . it was probably a sign or something,” he said.
Nasimiyu gets cleaned up and the lady at the front desk tells them: “You know if a bird poops on you, it’s a sign of good luck.”
“So from that day on, we were like, look, we’re not going to let this go to waste. We got to stick to it and be committed,” he said.
The first event is free and open to the public, and it promises to be a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community.
“This is our first event, and we just want the community to come out and enjoy. So, this event is free to the public,” she said.
The event will feature drinks, appetizers, hors d’oeuvres and an opportunity to connect with local designers. The presenting partners of The Fashion Circuit are the Olson Larsen Galleries.
Nasimiyu and Kelai are not just opening doors for emerging fashion designers with The Fashion Circuit but also creating a platform that brings together local creatives from all fields, offering them a space to connect and thrive.
“If you have a creative dream and not many people are supporting it, or if you’re unsure how to make it come true, we may not have all the answers, but we’re a great place to start,” she said.
This spring, “The Fashion Circuit” is the perfect opportunity to join a community of like-minded individuals, share ideas, and take the next step in a creative journey.
Peyton Houangvan is a proud Tai Dam first-generation American, currently studying Biotechnology and Communication Media Production at Grand View University. As a multi-talented individual, she expresses her creativity through singing, dancing, modeling and photography. This unique blend of artistic passion and scientific ambition fuels her desire to make an impact in both the creative and scientific fields. A brain tumor survivor, she is deeply connected to her heritage and driven by the goal of inspiring others through her journey of resilience and creativity.
Peyton Houangvan is also a model and creative marketing fellow.