Balozi is an Africa inspired brand, starting with the name, which means "ambassador" in Kiswahili, the native tongue of more than 150 million people on the African continent. From laser designs on jeans, shirts, and dresses based on kuba textile patterns to the use African patterns and the use of multi-colored thread in the stitching pattern on its dress jeans, Balozi is Africa and Africa is Balozi. All products are manufactured in Tanzania, in a government developed export zone in which fair employment and market standards are observed.

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The company's principals are rooted in Africa. Papa Balozi (former Ambassador Charles Stith) made his first trip to the continent in 1968 and served as the US envoy to Tanzania from 1998 to 2001.  Director, Dr. Mary Mildred Stith is currently based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Trey Edmondson, the board secretary, has spent extensive time in Africa.

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Percy Stith, the company CEO, has been in and out of Africa since 1998. Starting with his initial experience on the African continent, he became intrigued by the African aesthetic. He currently is the owner and creative force behind a boutique hat business based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He recently did hat designs for the upcoming Netflix movie - "The Harder they Fall" staring Idris Alba. He was recently featured on the cover of Santa Fean Magazine. Percy brings a wealth of experience working in merchandising, sales, brand management, and fashion development. 

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A NEW CONCEPT IN CLOTHING: COLOR, CONTOUR, & CLASS

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Balozi LLC is a fashion company, which designs superbly crafted men's and women's clothing. The products that bear the Balozi brand are fashioned for those that desire to express themselves stylistically with a sophistication that combines both a classic and a modern look.

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Balozi fashion is a fusion of east and west, Africa and America, classic and casual, it is designed to appeal to trans-generational fashion taste.  Most clothiers design for the human form to complement the fashion. The Balozi brand is designed to complement the human form; the distinction here is the difference between fashions designed to fit the customer versus the customer developing their taste to fit the fashions. Decisions about the cloth, the silhouette, and the drape of the Balozi label are made with the modern man and woman in mind.

 

Comfort and creativity are at the core of the Balozi design philosophy. Beyond the practical necessity of clothes as a shield from the elements, one's clothes are a statement about their element. For most, the definition of fashion is the taste of the times versus the timelessness of one's tastes. At Balozi, our theology of fashion is that it is the person, not the environment, which is the inspiration for fashion. Balozi believes,  One's clothing should be a validation of their passion and purpose.

 

Balozi starts with western concepts and integrates kuba textile patterns and motifs to produce a unique look that is as beautiful as it is bold and as unique as it is practical.
 

• Balozi jeans – Our jean lines are characterized by a swooped waistband to optimize comfort and fit, accented with lasered subtle kuba textile designs, to give another look to an everyday fashion design. On our dress jeans multi-colored thread on the stitching pattern is another unique feature.
   

• Balozi Shirts and Dresses – Our dresses and shirts/blouses are African in silhouette and pattern. When you think Balozi, think comfort. With a shift-like siIhouette, think comfort and cool. Staying with the kuba textile concept, the collar would be one pattern, the body a second pattern, and the sleeves a third. (We could probably entice Alex to help fill-in the blanks relative to colors.) I would suggest linen as the material. On the high-end, I would suggest a very light weight denim.
   

• Balozi collarless style polo shirts - Popularized by golfers like Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka. These polo shirts caused a stir amongst club golfers when they first came on the scene but now they are fast becoming a staple in many wardrobes. This design is particularly suited for the casual (but versital) flare required in temperate climates.