Austin Bolo, popularly known as Bolo Bespoke, is a renown fashion designer and celebrity stylist.
He creates unique styles and custom-made outfits, usually blending African designs and contemporary designs. His attention to detail makes him stand out.
The fashion designer has worked with celebrities such as The Bahati’s, Jalang’o and many more.
He recently dressed Prince Indah, his wife and their bridal team, during their much anticipated traditional marriage ceremony.
The outfits however sparked heated discussions across social media platforms, some criticizing Indah and his wife’s design, saying Bolo did a substandard work.
Others came to his defend saying those who were critiquing his work had no idea about fashion.
Bolo and his wife Mueni however did not give a damn about the negative comments, saying that whenever people talked about them, either positively or negatively, their business was growing as they receive more orders for their exemplary work.
However, Bolo was not always this flashy and all glammed up, as his beginning was very humble. Before fame and money, Bolo had to work with blood and sweat to make ends meet.
According to Mueni, Bolo used to sell chips at stadium. He also worked in fish mongering and his job was to remove scales from fish.
At Uhuru Market, he was tasked with preparing ugali.
“He used to cook very big ugali at Uhuru Market,” Mueni told Betty Kyallo in an interview.
“I have worked in Gikomba, Uhuru Market and Stadium,” Bolo added.
He also worked in industrial area.
“He also used to work at Industrial area, finishing the plastics when you have to shape the residue. He used to cut that out. Bolo was not glammed up kitambo. He has come from far,” Mueni further said.
Additionally, photos of Bolo pushing mkokoteni to make ends meet have been shared on social media.
In a past interview with Dr Ofweneke, Mueni revealed that she met Bolo when he was very broke. at the time, she was established just at 21 years old, and was living in a 2-bedroomed house.
“I am proud of his journey because when I found him, he was sleeping on the floor; there was no TV, no seat, just a shoe rack with a lot of ugly shoes,” she said.
She said Bolo was living in Umoja with his dad. When his dad passed away, he was left with a huge responsibility of taking care of his mother and siblings.
” Every coin Bolo got, he was helping his mum and sisters. He was the sole provider, but he had a very solid heart after his father died. Him being responsible made me love him,” Mueni went on.
Bolo studied fashion design at the University of Nairobi and upon graduating, he worked with local designers before launching his fashion house in 2005.
