The Beauty Behind The Madness: An Inside Look At The Endo Sisters

Patti and Yvonne offer soft smiles and a look into what makes them tick as individuals and the duo behind minimalist brand Endo².

They confirm what’s already evident in their carefully curated platform — Endo² is a brand built on a deep love of art in its purest form and womanhood.  Patti, the younger of the pair, is the brand’s Picasso while older sister Yvonne lends her extensive marketing experience to take the company to new heights.

Upon learning this, my first thought is, how do they make this work? One paper, they seem like opposites. But I quickly learned that this duo’s superpower is their symbiosis.

As an only child, I’m marveled by the way they move. It appears to be in harmony – when Patti moves forward, Yvonne moves back. Their connection is palpable, like they are bounded by an invisible tether that knows no bounds.

When I ask Patti about how working with her sister actually is, she tells me warmly that it’s “easy.” She goes on to explain that their connection makes conflict resolution instinctive. They value their individual talents enormously, and give each other the room to weigh in on every aspect of the business.

Hearing that, I’m not shocked when Patti tells me Endo² is birthed from an “organic” place. However, I am surprised to learn that they never expected to be where they are now.

The sisters, who grew up in Japan and Kenya, returned back to the latter after finishing school abroad. They started their Instagram page in 2016, hoping to give viewers a look into their lives and work here in Kenya.

Yvonne had the idea to commercialize Patti’s work. The former tells me they started first with tote bags, and as the years went by they diversified their merchandise and grew their brand to impressive heights.

than she gives herself credit for, has had a clear vision for Endo² from the beginning. Her marketing acumen is undeniable — Endo² has mastered the difficult line brands must walk between effortlessness and intentionality. Yvonne (with Patti’s input, of course) has maintained the brand’s organic nature, it still feels authentic and true to who these women are, but its growth potential is limitless.

Of starting a business, Yvonne explains “consistency is key.”

“We’ve never stopped having a clear brand image. Whatever you’re doing, just be consistent,” she recommends.

Keeping authenticity at the forefront is paramount, too.

“Make sure you’re putting out stuff that you actually like and would buy,” she urges. “Just being authentic to you is what sells.”

Someone get her a TED Talk.

Though they’ve made a name for themselves in various spaces, the truth of Patti’s work remains strong. There’s a vulnerability and quiet power to her work that’s alluring — it’s what gravitated me to Endo².

When I pick Patti’s brain about her work, it’s clear this is where her true passion lies. Her eyes instantly light up, and I feel her soul awaken.

“My work is mainly reflections of myself,” she says when I ask her what inspires her. “There’s no pre planning or anything, it’s really just dependent on my headspace and what’s going on around me.”

She describes her art as a “reflection of her mind.” But it’s bigger than just her. Her art also aims to portray the “rawness” of womanhood.

“I believe the female body is too overly sexualized,” she shares. “That’s why I feel pulled to portray a raw version of womanhood, and what it’s like to be human in general. I want to show the dark side of being human.”

She goes on to explain that, to steal a few words from The Weeknd, she wants to express the beauty behind the madness. Human existence is complicated and messy, and being a woman comes with its own nuanced struggles. Patti doesn’t want to shy away from that side of life, and she wants to use her minimalist style— which she says is inspired by her Japanese side and grandmother, who was also an artist— to say something powerful.

And she has big plans for changing the narrative surrounding the art scene here in Kenya.

“Art in general in Nairobi is not taken seriously whatsoever. And it’s only seen for a certain class of people. It’s not accessible whatsoever. My goal really is just to make sure that people are open [to art] and feel comfortable enough to walk into my space and feel like they can get something and don’t feel intimidated.” She said.

It’s a goal that together, I’m confident they’ll reach.