Sunday, May 25, 2008

Ariadne Artiles






Most victims of the violence in January and February were poor Kenyans, living in Nairobi slums -- some just a couple of kilometers from the park -- and impoverished rural areas.

Most people at the show were delighted that a positive image of Kenya was being shown again at last.

"It is great that fashion can be held in the name of peace. Fashion is always a good thing that brings people together and this show has really demonstrated that," said model Lisa Pitkin.

"The fact international designers came here is a good sign, definitely a move forward from where we were two months ago."

Most models wore traditional African dress on the catwalk.

The two-hour show was one of a series of high-profile events -- including a photo-shoot by British businessmen in the Masai Mara game park -- intended to restore Kenya's image after one of the most traumatic episodes in its post-independence history.

Kenyans were horrified after the election when images of machete-wielding mobs and gun-toting policemen were beamed around the world, scaring off tourists and worrying investors.

(Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Catherine Evans)

(For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/ )

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