Anthony Owich Asumo, known to many as “Koko”, knows too well that in a world where personal style speaks louder than words, he must stand out.
Lifestyle had a peek inside his closet; he has about 300 hats, 70 to 100 pairs of shoes, three watches, 10 pairs of earrings, bracelets and necklaces, but there is one bracelet and necklace that he wears daily.
The 34-year-old is an entrepreneur behind the Bar Next Door, a staple in Nairobi and Kiambu city’s nightlife and Front Door, an alcoholic beverage delivery service. An Economics and Statistics graduate from the University of Nairobi and a Masters' graduate of USIU, Anthony manages a team of over 200 employees.
His style journey began long before his business success. As a child, he travelled frequently with his late father globally, discovering inspiration in the aisles of international mass-market retail outlets. The fond memories of browsing trendy accessible fashion aboard sparked a lifelong love for fashion.
How has your style evolved to reflect your growth?
My days are a mix of meetings, and hosting guests at my establishments. During the day, for the formal meetings, I wear suits, and for the less formal engagements, I dress down and opt for business smart. For evening hostings, I normally go home and change as I like to portray my persona in my clothes. My evening looks are mainly streetwear that is comfortable and has some detail on the clothing.
Bar Next Door Founder Antony Owich’s sneaker collection at his Kileleshwa home in Nairobi on April 17, 2025.
Where do you typically shop?
I mainly shop abroad from retail brands like Zara, H&M, Diesel... Most recently I have gained an interest in shopping from luxury brands that are classic, good quality and last longer even though they may be slightly pricey. These are brands like “Fear of God” by Jerry Lorenzo “Aime Leon Dore”. I really love this brand and when I walked into their store in New York, the collection resonated with me, and I felt like the store was well curated for the target market.
Do you buy “Made in Kenya” brands?
My plan this year is to invest in local brands like “Regalia Apparel” because their collections are idle for a middle-aged man who wants comfort, and to dress in good quality clothing.
I also like Studio 58, they have amazing streetwear that can also be worn for business meetings.
Another brand I am eyeing this year is Kiko Romeo. I love their brand story of sustainability and the fabrics they use, their signature bold prints inspired by Kenya’s culture.
Bar Next Door Founder Antony Owich poses for a photo at his Kileleshwa home in Nairobi on April 17, 2025.
Tell us more about your hat collection. How many do you have and when did you start collecting them?
I’’ have about 300 different styles of hats. I collect hats that have a persona and a story to them. I buy them for the different things that they represent and can be used for. Denim hats can fit into my business wear. I have several distressed hats that are comfortable and expressive. Two-tone hats are more for their styling flair. Artist Bien [Kenyan musician Bien-Aimé Baraza] had a branded collection, and I purchased some fashionable hats from him. When I was growing up, I had a yellow hat with the print “Sengege ni Ngombe” in bold red. It was very fashionable. I am now focused on investing in Porsche, Rolex, and Balenciaga hats. These hats will complement the Rolex watch I will own one day, the Porsche 911 I want to drive, and the Balenciaga attitude that is raw and authentic. I have been collecting hats for over 10 years, and every six months I conduct a closet overhaul and give away my hats, clothes, and shoes to my relatives in the village.
How many pairs of shoes do you own?
I would say 70 to 100 pairs of shoes. A mix of gym shoes, formal shoes, sneakers, loafers and sandals. I like to have options for each category. I exercise every morning at 4.30am. It is part of my routine and gets me energised for the day. My favourite gym shoes are from a Swiss brand called “On”. The shoes are engineered with recycled materials for premium performance and comfort.
Do you have a large accessories collection?
My watch collection is modest, I only have three watches. I have a necklace that I wear every day. I have at least 10 pairs of earrings. I also have a favourite beaded charm bracelet that I was gifted which I wear every day.
What are your top picks for events such as brunches and special occasions?
Plain linen is my go-to choice of fabric.
Bar Next Door Founder Antony Owich poses for a photo at his Kileleshwa home in Nairobi on April 17, 2025.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Honestly, by the time I am 40, I hope to have settled down and married. I would like to grow my hospitality empire out of Kenya to the Middle East specifically Dubai. I will also furtwher my studies at Harvard University. For me learning never ends.
