Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Kente Gentlemen?
Founded in 2017 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Kente Gentlemen is a contemporary fashion house exploring the intersection of color, poetry, culture, and craftsmanship.
Through clothing, textiles, imagery, and storytelling, we create collections that celebrate African creativity while embracing a global perspective. Each piece is designed to be both timeless and expressive, rooted in heritage yet made for the present.
2. Is Kente Gentlemen only for men?
No.
While the brand was initially rooted in menswear tailoring, Kente Gentlemen has evolved to include womenswear and gender-fluid silhouettes. Many of our garments are designed with versatility in mind, encouraging personal interpretation and individual style.
3. Where are your garments made?
All of our pieces are designed and produced in our ateliers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
We are deeply committed to local production and craftsmanship. From textile development and pattern-making to tailoring and finishing, every stage of the process is carried out as close to home as possible. We work closely with artisans, weavers, tailors, metalworkers, and craftspeople across West Africa to bring our collections to life.
Many of the details that define a Kente Gentlemen garment, including selected buttons, trims, brass hardware, and handcrafted embellishments, are also designed and produced locally. By manufacturing in small batches and investing in regional expertise, we are able to preserve traditional skills, support local economies, and maintain the highest level of quality and attention to detail.
4. What makes your textiles unique?
Our textiles are sourced and developed through collaborations with artisan communities across West Africa, including Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Burkina Faso, as well as other regions of the continent. Depending on the collection, we also work with locally sourced linen, cotton, and other natural fibers selected for their quality, character, and suitability to the story being told.
Many of these fabrics are handwoven in small batches using techniques passed down through generations. As a result, slight variations in weave, texture, and color may occur. These are not imperfections, but rather the signatures of human craftsmanship and the beauty of handmade production.
Each textile carries its own history, connecting the wearer to the people, places, and traditions behind its creation.
5. What does “Poetry. Color. Culture.” mean?
It is the foundation of our design philosophy.
Color carries emotion. Poetry carries feeling and storytelling. Culture carries memory, identity, and heritage. Every collection seeks to balance these three elements through silhouette, textile development, imagery, and craftsmanship.
6. Is Kente Gentlemen a sustainable fashion brand?
We embrace a slow-fashion approach centered around ethical production, small-batch manufacturing, local sourcing whenever possible, and garments designed to be worn and cherished for years.
For us, sustainability is not only about materials. It is also about preserving craftsmanship, supporting artisan communities, and creating clothing with lasting value.
7. Do you offer custom or made-to-measure pieces?
Yes.
Many of our garments can be adapted through custom sizing, fabric selection, or bespoke development depending on the project. For made-to-measure orders, we can guide you through taking your own measurements or recommend a trusted local tailor to ensure accuracy.
A made-to-measure option is available on most product listings. If you require additional assistance, simply contact us and our team will guide you through the process.
Beyond individual garments, we also collaborate on special commissions, weddings, editorial productions, uniforms, hospitality projects, and cultural partnerships.
For inquiries, please contact us at info@kentegentlemen.com.
8. Where can I purchase Kente Gentlemen?
Our collections are available through our online store, selected international stockists, seasonal pop-ups, and private showroom appointments.
If you are looking for a specific piece or would like assistance finding the nearest stockist, our team will be happy to assist.
9. Do you ship internationally?
Yes.
We ship worldwide through our trusted logistics partner, DHL Express.
For in-stock items, delivery typically takes 3 to 4 business days from the date of shipment, depending on your location. For made-to-measure pieces or items that are not currently in stock, please allow approximately two additional weeks for production before dispatch.
Depending on your country, customs duties, taxes, or import fees may apply upon arrival. These charges are determined by local customs authorities and are typically much lower than the value of the garment itself.
Once your order ships, you will receive a tracking number to follow its journey from our atelier to your doorstep.
10. What inspires Kente Gentlemen collections?
Each Kente Gentlemen collection begins with a story.
It may be inspired by a place, a film, a poem, a novel, a personality, a memory, a dream, or a fleeting moment in time. From there, we build an entire universe around that narrative, exploring its emotions, colors, textures, and symbolism through clothing.
While our collections remain rooted in local textile-making traditions and artisanal craftsmanship, the silhouettes, fabrics, prints, and color palettes are carefully developed to reflect the spirit of each collection's theme and story.
The result is a dialogue between heritage and contemporary design, where every garment becomes part of a larger narrative.
