Couple Turns Kenyan Handcrafted Goods into a US Luxury Business

A Touch of Kenya, a luxury brand founded by Luke and Rosemary McClure, is bringing handcrafted Kenyan leather bags, beaded jewellery, and brass accessories to the American market, linking artisans in Nairobi with buyers across the United States.

What began as a chance meeting between the Kenyan healthcare professional and the former US Army officer at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in 2011 has evolved into a business rooted in craftsmanship and cultural connection.

From Inspiration to Enterprise. During his military service, Luke McClure travelled widely across Africa, where he discovered a thriving but often overlooked luxury craft industry. 

“You do not see the luxury side of Africa unless you travel,” he recalls. “I remember walking through malls in Nairobi and being amazed at the quality of what Kenyan artisans were producing.”

The couple began buying handbags and jewellery from Kenyan designers during visits home, selling them informally to friends in the United States. Encouraged by strong interest, they registered A Touch of Kenya as a limited liability company two years ago, investing about Sh6.5 million from their savings. This amount has since nearly doubled.

Initially a two-person operation, the business has grown into a cross-continental enterprise. Luke manages marketing and logistics from Virginia, while Rosemary oversees sourcing and artisan coordination in Nairobi. Their network now includes designers, sales staff, and collectives of beaders, brass workers, and leather stitchers across Kenya.

“The talent in Kenya is endless,” says Rosemary. “Our goal is to give skilled people the platform to shine.”

In Virginia, A Touch of Kenya products are displayed at a boutique stall in Painted Tree and in a mobile retail trailer, a 7-by-16-foot boutique wrapped in images of the Maasai Mara and Nairobi’s skyline, that travels to cultural festivals around the country.

“The festivals are where we come alive,” says Luke. “People want to touch and feel the leather, to experience it. That tactile connection often turns a first-time buyer into a lifelong customer.”

From the outset, the McClures have prioritised authenticity. Every item under the A Touch of Kenya label is made entirely in Kenya, using locally sourced materials and produced by women’s cooperatives in Kibera. Even photography and branding are done in Nairobi.

“It would not make sense to call it A Touch of Kenya and then sell imported items,” Luke notes. “We want to demonstrate that Kenya can produce world-class luxury.”

Each purchase supports a network of artisans who rely on fair and consistent trade. “When we sell a Suba bag or a Nyali tote, the people behind it—beaders, designers, brass workers—all benefit directly,” says Rosemary.

The brand’s handbags sell for around Sh25,000 in Virginia, positioning them between accessibility and exclusivity. Profit margins range from 30 to 40 per cent, with earnings reinvested into production and artisan support.

Running a business across two countries presents challenges, including fluctuating material costs, shipping delays, and inventory imbalances between Nairobi and Richmond. “This is a marathon, not a sprint,” says Rosemary. “You have to keep going even when the process feels slow.”

Both founders continue to work full-time, Luke in government and Rosemary in healthcare, while managing the business during evenings and weekends. “Entrepreneurship teaches you what it means to spend your time purposefully,” Luke says.

Much of the company’s growth has come through word-of-mouth and personal connections. The mobile boutique has become a regular attraction at cultural festivals, while referrals have introduced the brand to new customers, including public officials.

“People don’t just buy a bag,” Rosemary explains. “They buy a story of the artisan, of Kenya, of cultural connection.” 

Some customers have even travelled to Kenya after learning about the brand, where the McClures introduce them to local designers and creative communities. Through their BC Foundation, named after their mothers, Beldina and Catherine, the McClures support Kaswanga Primary School on Rusinga Island, funding classroom renovations and educational materials.

“Giving back is not an afterthought,” says Rosemary. “It is part of who we are and what our brand stands for.”

Looking ahead, the couple hopes to expand A Touch of Kenya’s presence in both markets and build it into a globally recognised African luxury brand. “The market is ready,” says Luke. “The challenge is changing perceptions, getting people to associate luxury with Africa.”