Hi, I’m Akiko. I’m half Japanese and half Kenyan, born in Chiba, Japan and raised in Nairobi, Kenya.
Spending time between Kenya and Japan made me notice how differently dogs fit into everyday life in the two places I call home. In Japan, they’re part of everyday life, loved, dressed up and included in everything. In Kenya, that culture is still growing.
Being part of both worlds, I see something special in each. Japan has an amazing dog culture, while Kenyan fashion is full of colour, energy and fun. I may not be able to bring Japan’s dog culture to Kenya, but through MALAIKA, I can bring the vibrancy of Kenyan fashion to dogs in Japan.
I named the brand MALAIKA, which means “angel” in Swahili. I found it fitting for something made with love for dogs.
Our dogwear is made in small batches by a team of tailors in Kenya. Our production partner is a Guaranteed Member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). This is important to me because I want every MALAIKA piece to be made with care, both for the dogs who wear it and the people who make it.
I choose fabrics and details for their colour, character and connection to my Kenyan life. Each piece is made to feel fun, special and different from anything else in your dog’s wardrobe.
To me, fabric and fashion are never simply decorative. They carry a sense of place, memory and personality. That idea is at the heart of MALAIKA: a story in every piece of fabric, transformed into something special for your dog.
For your dog, whose time with us is shorter than we wish, every day is a special occasion. That’s why I believe they deserve something thoughtful, joyful and made with love.
With love,
Akiko