Kahindo Mateene was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from high school, she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where she studied fashion design. After a few years working in the industry, she decided to start her own label.
Modahnik was born out of Mateene’s desire to create clothing that would reflect her African heritage in a modern way. “I was always interested in fashion and I loved African prints, but I never saw anyone really doing anything with them in a contemporary way,” she says. “I wanted to create something that would be fresh and new, but still reflect my culture.”
Mateene’s latest collection, which debuted at New York Fashion Week in February, is inspired by the traditional Congolese wedding dress. The collection features beautiful prints and textiles, as well as intricate beading and embroidery. “I really wanted to capture the essence of a Congolese wedding dress, but put my own spin on it,” she says. “I wanted to create something that was beautiful and unique, but still had that African feel.”
The collection was well-received by both fashion critics and buyers, and Mateene is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world. “I’m just really grateful for the opportunity to share my culture and my designs with the world,” she says. “I hope that people can see the beauty in African prints and textiles, and that they’ll be inspired to incorporate them into their own wardrobe.”