Raising a brand from the ground up is no small feat, but when you pair passion with purpose and creativity with collaboration, the journey becomes more than just a business venture—it’s a story worth telling. This is how Ari and I built Kenari, a brand that fuses elegance with individuality, adventure with artistry, and ethics with empowerment.
The Beginning: Two Worlds Collide
Ari and I didn’t just start Kenari by chance—it was born out of a shared dream. We both came from different walks of life: I, an open-heart surgery nurse with a penchant for storytelling and a love for unique style, and Ari, an Australian artist with an eye for design and a soul that craves beauty in every detail. When our worlds collided, it was as if two missing pieces finally fit together.
We realized early on that we both shared an obsession with creating something timeless. Whether through fabric, structure, or philosophy, we wanted to build a brand that wasn’t just about fashion but also about values—authenticity, sustainability, and self-expression. Thus, Kenari was born.
Finding Our Voice
One of our first lessons was that finding your brand’s unique voice is vital. My voice emerged organically, blending Ari’s artistic edge with my structured future vision. We wanted Kenari to speak to dreamers, For Kenari, the doers, and everyone in between.
We spent countless nights sketching ideas, debating designs, and bouncing philosophies back and forth. The result? A brand identity that feels like a mirror—reflecting who we are and who we aspire to be.
The Philosophy: Imperfectly Perfect
We embraced the mantra from the beginning: Have fun as hell, be as authentic as possible when innovating, and stay open-minded. This guiding philosophy has shaped Kenari into what it is today. Imperfection wasn’t a flaw to us; it was a feature. We wanted our designs, marketing, and approach to embody the idea that perfection lies in imperfect moments—those raw, unfiltered spaces where creativity thrives.
Investments, Marketing, and the Roller Coaster Ride
The journey of raising Kenari wasn’t without its fair share of challenges. Starting any brand takes a significant amount of investment—not just financial but emotional and creative.
Marketing Kenari was where we truly hit our stride. We knew that traditional advertising wouldn’t capture the essence of our brand, so we leaned into storytelling. Every collection had a narrative, and every piece had a purpose.
Collaboration and the Power of Two
What made the Kenari journey so unique was how Ari and I collaborated. Our partnership wasn’t just about dividing tasks but blending visions. Ari’s artistic flair and my structured approach complemented each other perfectly. When Ari dreamed of ethereal silhouettes, I grounded them. When I pushed for minimalist sophistication, Ari injected with functional bursts of bold, artistic expression. Together, we created something neither of us could have done alone.
Staying True to Our Roots
Despite our growing success, we never lost sight of what mattered most: our roots. Kenari was founded on integrity—from using sustainable materials to ensuring ethical practices in every production stage. Every decision we make is a reflection of our values.
Even if we plan to expand into new collections and host glamorous events, we stay connected to our beginnings. Whether through intimate fashion shows or engaging with our community, we constantly reminded ourselves why we started this journey: to inspire and empower.
The Future of Kenari
Raising a brand is never truly finished. Kenari continues to evolve, and so do we. We learn, grow, and refine our craft with every new collection. We dream of taking Kenari global, collaborating with more artists, and pushing the boundaries of what fashion can achieve.
Our brand isn’t just about clothes; it’s about creating a lifestyle. It’s about raising the bar and staying unapologetically authentic while doing it. Ari and I often say, “We’re not just building a brand; we’re building a legacy.”
A Thank You to Our Supporters
As we reflect on how far we’ve come, one thing is clear: none of this would have been possible without the incredible support of our community. Thank you to everyone who cheered us on, believed in our vision, and embraced Kenari as part of their story. You are why we wake up every day excited to create, innovate, and keep moving forward.
Building Kenari with Ari has been one of the most exhilarating journeys of my life. It’s a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose and dreams meet determination. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned along the way, it’s this:
When you build something with love, integrity, and a little bit of madness, the world can’t help but take notice.
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