Our Founder

Our Founder

I’ve always loved fashion — but fashion didn’t always love me back. At 5'1", shopping became a cycle of compromises: hemming every pair of pants, folding every sleeve, constantly adjusting clothes that were never designed with me in mind.

Over time, I stopped searching for pieces that truly flattered my frame. I defaulted to oversized or ill-fitting clothes — not out of preference, but because nothing ever fit the way it should. Slowly, that quiet discomfort began to chip away at my confidence.

I’m an engineer by background — a natural problem solver. But beyond the logic and structure, I’ve always had a creative spark — a deep love for design, detail, and self-expression.

I knew I wasn’t alone. So many petite women share the same quiet frustration — overlooked by an industry that treats us as an afterthought. That ongoing compromise planted the seed for something bigger.

That’s how Afya Petite was born — fuelled by a desire to create a better solution. Not just for me, but for every woman who’s felt unseen, underserved, or uninspired by what’s on the rack.

Afya — meaning wellness and strength in Swahili — is a tribute to my Kenyan roots and the feeling I want every woman to carry when she wears our pieces: quiet ease, natural confidence, and the kind of power that comes from feeling truly seen.

“Afya — meaning wellness and strength in Swahili — is a personal tribute to my Kenyan roots and the feeling I want every woman to carry when she wears our pieces: quiet ease, natural confidence, and the kind of power that comes from being truly seen.”

— Nikita

“I wasn’t alone. So many petite women have shared this same experience — constantly overlooked by an industry that treats us as an afterthought. That frustration planted the seed for something more: Afya Petite.”