We were lucky to catch up with Vik N JOROH recently and have shared our conversation below.
Vik N, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Founded in 2011, in memory of my maternal grandmother, the late MARY NASSOLO Kamuggwa, (who passed away on 9th December 1995), as an avenue for young-mothers and single-mothers to engage in safe, dignified employment as they rebuild their lives, and we have since widened our doors to accept employees from varying backgrounds of vulnerability and exploitation.
From women rights stewardship and empowerment (priority communities especially school drop-outs due to lack of finances, young-mothers and single-mothers) to supply chain investment, Joroh Clothing LINE is a brand that is committed empowering humanity and handcraftsmanship. All proceeds and profits from Joroh Clothing LINE go back to support and champion the works of MARLVIA She Global Initiative, an N.G.O/charity organisation we partner with in Uganda and Kenya.
We take a human-centred approach to everything from design to wholesaling to engaging with our customers, both external and internal: people are deeply important to us. As a result of more enlightened customers, we have been able to realise our mission of offering employment to people within the priority communities, which has placed us a brand at the forefront of global citizenship in the fashion industry.
We support our staff using the four pillars of training, opportunity, living wages, and education. Through this approach we have proven that a sustainable career path is the key to a lasting social change, both in the lives of our staff and their families and communities. More than 50 people have benefited from stable employment with Joroh Clothing LINE and MARLVIA She Global Initiative to date.
TRAINING
As a Creative and Fashion Designer under the Joroh Clothing LINE umbrella, having upscaled and upskilled my fashion, design and technology knowledge, I have endeavoured to pass on this knowledge to our staff and seamstresses, who I train in every element of garment-making, construction and manufacturing so that they too are empowered and are gaining a deep knowledge in the areas of cutting, finishing, and sewing.
LIVING WAGES
A living wage ensures workers have enough income to afford a decent standard of living, cover necessary expenses, such as food, housing, healthcare, education and discretionary items, and allows them to save for unexpected events. For many of our staff, this level of financial security is freedom in itself.
EDUCATION
Patterning with MARLVIA She Global Initiative, to recruit our staff, who we enrol in educational and personal enrichment programs to support them and their families. Education programs include budgeting, women’s and infant health, computing skills, human rights awareness, English language skills, and self-awareness.
OUR COMMITMENT
We don’t believe clothing should create poverty or exploit. To the contrary, we believe it can be a solution to some of the great social problems that exist in the world today.
Beyond the staff, who are predominantly based in Sub-Saharan Africa, we ensure our entire supply chain is free from slavery and exploitative practises. We achieve this working only with suppliers who meet our stringent criteria for well treatment of people and the environment around us.
With $354 billion of product at risk of modern slavery imported by G20 countries, garments accounting for $127.7 billion, we will continue working with stakeholders globally, from leading universities to government bodies and the UN Global Compact Network, to affect industry-wide change in fashion supply chains to eradicate slavery in all its forms.
Vik N, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Joroh Clothing LINE is driven by instinct, We take pride in made-to-measure garments…create hand-made LUXURY lifestyle garments and accessories with DOWN-TO-EARTH aesthetics whilst staying true to our AFRICAN HERITAGE and ROOTS.
Designed. Hand-Made. We are always looking for the right balance between minimal and sophisticated. The most difficult part is to simplify to get to the heart of the design, creating pieces with a compelling blend of personality and purity.
To do our designs, justice, we source quality materials and fabrics that are all put together and produced by our manufacturing Team back in sub-Saharan Africa. A sense of craft and use of supple raw materials lend the garments and accessories a soft and a decidedly human touch heartbeat which has eventually culminated into the growing collection of effortless, timeless and coveted designs that you see out here today.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Growing up in a mother-born, raised, and groomed homestead, I was intrigued by a sewing machine. I always liked materials, fabrics, and cuts; I was fascinated by the mystery of transforming a textile into a garment. Thanks to the late MARY NASSOLO Kamuggwa, a fashion enthusiast and business-woman and to her best friend and elder brother, the late John Chrysostom KADDU, a kanzu bespoke tailor that I am an entrepreneur and creator that I am today. By their words, “we live to tell, share, and learn!”, I live and lead life unforgivingly whilst sowing kindness to ALL humanity.
To this regard, waking up to do something I love and enjoy doing and witnessing my own growth as a Creative and Fashion Designer is one of the most rewarding parts of my calling and passion. It is a world is where everything is an idea or possibility for something new – giving life to fabric/raw materials into a garment or accessory. Truth be told, I am never at a loss for inspiration.
The spirit of our Joroh Clothing LINE designs, collections and works is making a difference in people’s lives especially priority communities, empowerment, diversity, and inclusivity…the breaking down of frontiers and the sense of a new world of no judgement. It is the success of tomorrow that we see life as we make of it!
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
We are one and work together at Joroh Clothing LINE – we know our seamstresses and tailors by name and they are given support to build a brighter future for themselves and their families. They are the reason we do what we do. They are our partners in creating the beautiful products that you get to enjoy when you order and buy from us. This alone makes everyone’s input in the success of our works recognised and appreciated.
I describe our Clientele (JOROH-rites) with just 2 words: authenticity and elegance! Someone
who wants to look beautiful and is also open-minded. Our clientele is the reason for our existence, who give us the morale to do what we do best and who uplift our noble cause of being of service to the community! 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://joroh-clothing-line.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jorohclothingline/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JorohClothingLINE
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-joroh-namutwe/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jorohline
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jorohcity4546
Image Credits
1. Photographer JAMES TAYLOR – @Pics_That_Pop 2. Photographer JACQUI HENSHAW – @JacquiHenshawPhotographer 3. Photographer LUCA IBACH – @crosstown_images 4. Photographer VERNONDO BOSHOFF – @vernondoboshoff 5. Photographer NIXON SOLA – @nixonsola 6. Photographer RANA El MAHMOUD – @ranae.art