ABOUT.

Founded in 2009 with a vision to provide the fashion industry with a manufacturing solution with social and environmental issues at the heart of its business.

JOANNA MAIDEN FOUNDER & CEO

I believe the fashion industry can be used as a force for good and since arriving in Kenya in 2009, I have been building a company on this foundation. I am passionate about producing high quality clothing that also improves the quality of life for my employees and the community.

Career progression and the belief that individuals should have the opportunity to aspire to growth in their jobs and personal lives is really important to me.

One of my proudest moments was seeing Michelle Obama wearing clothes we had made. The first time we saw press images coming through, the team didn’t believe me and thought a ‘proper’ factory (to use their words) must have produced the same garment. The reality is, I started with four people in a small outbuilding, and two moves later, we are now in a modern advanced facility, but for us all, the emphasis has always been on creating quality garments and this, along with the great partnerships we have made with our clients, has enabled us to grow.

I’m also so grateful for the fact that I have such a loyal, longstanding team that have been part of the SOKO Kenya story from the start, and as a company we continue to be inspired by seeing and feeling the connection between our small, rural factory and the global fashion industry.