Fashion & Flat Whites: Joan Mukami
Joan looks fabulous in a gray sweater dress, paired with some beautiful silver accessories!
How would you describe your style?
I own an Image Consultancy Company here in Kenya and honestly, Image is all about what makes you comfortable and confident. To answer your question, I have no preferred Fashion style. I can rock any style given to me, but in all my styles, I have to incorporate chic and elegance into it.
How long have you been interested in fashion, and what inspired your interest?
As long as I can remember. I had this small green dopey smurf bag that I would carry my small beauty stuff in as a child, like lipglosses and eyeliners, and I loved to play dress up with my white plastic doll. As for what inspired my interest, I was born with it. It's part of my soul contract.
Can you tell us about your journey to body confidence?
It's still a continuing learning journey for me, because I have never been slim or lean ever. Since I was a child, I’ve always been a thick girlie, and I grew thicker after birthing my 2 boys. I mean, I have learnt to love myself ever since I re-parented my mind (about 4 years ago), because the people whom I grew up with bullied me in every aspect of my life. So it's a continuous learning, growing journey.
Joan looking luxe & chic in a stunning black & white look.
What's your profession, and how does what you wear impact your profession?
I am a talented Fashion and Spaces Stylist and Decorator. I own an Image Consultant company, so every day wear affects my business and how I present myself to my high end clients who love their class matters a lot.
How did you find out about Mys Tyler?
I found out about Mys Tyler via my old Instagram feed. I now have a new Instagram account, @JoanMukamiTheBrand. Yes, definitely, social media helps!!!
How has using Mys Tyler impacted you?
I started using it years ago after I saw a fellow Kenyan girl on your app’s “wallpaper” and I immediately loved it. Seeing women love their bodies even more, no matter what their body size is, made me love Mys Tyler even more.
“Seeing women love their bodies even more, no matter what their body size is, made me love Mys Tyler even more.”
What’s your favorite fashion hack?
This will sound like a cliche, but I promise you it’s not a cliche— to me anyway. Always accessorize your outfits! Basic or not basic accessories, accessories, accessories. Accessorize your face, too, by adding on mascara and lipgloss, and shape your eyebrows. And let's not forget to keep your nails and hair always neat. Always!
What's the perfect formula for a feel-good outfit? (What goes into an outfit that makes you feel good/ brightens your day?)
Honestly, this is a must for any outfit- CONFIDENCE! Carry it with pride. Without this, you ruin any of your outfits. Plus it adds to your standing out in the room. You know you become the Elephant in that room. And also LOVE EVERY INCH OF YOU.
Joan having fun with styling!
What do you hope the future of fashion will look like?
My fashion future is like this — as a Black Girl and young Black mother from Kenya who would like to be recognized internationally for bringing my touch to this Fashion world, [I’d like to] see myself attending all the Fashion weeks. My body can handle sitting in front seats, [and I] see myself attending the 2025 Met Gala as an invitee, collaborating with Ralph Lauren. I know he would be perfect to clothe me in a dandy style- to have state leaders, monarchs, royalties, she.o.’s, c.e.o’s, managers, directors as my all-time clients, and maybe just maybe replace Anna Wintour as the Global Vogue Editor. I mean change is here with my in my hands.
If you could tell your younger self anything, what would you say?
Joan Mukami, continue dreaming bigger and bigger, and don’t let family shut you down for thinking you are not submissive for wanting to speak out for just being you. Continue dreaming, tell no one your plans, and don’t stress out about how much your mother and father treat you differently and outcast you from your brothers. You will be alright, you young Queen!
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I don’t know if this is a cliche or not, but I would very much love to be Famous, Celebrated, and Become an Icon — a Fashion and Beauty Icon to be specific, earning 520,000 in pounds per my work. Nothing wrong with that! I am just a girl, a smart girl as a matter of fact. And lastly Mys Tyler group please keep on promoting me and young women alike who want to live large and big in this Mama Earth. Have a Peaceful Year.
Joan is one of Mys Tyler’s Contributors, inspiring women across the world with her classic, comfortable, and luxe style. You can follow Joan on Mys Tyler to be inspired below!