Ugandans left a mark at the Swahili Fashion Week (SFW) held last weekend at the National museum in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The Pearl of Africa was represented by two fashion designers and models, yet by the end of the three-day event, the rest of East Africa had bowed to how fast the industry here was growing. Abbas Kaijuka, making his debut as a fashion designer, got a standing ovation at SFW as his first-ever showcase was a record on its own.
Kaijuka is popularly known as one of the biggest stylists in the country working his brand Kais Divo Collection, started in 2014. The fact that his first collection was accepted at SFW serves as testimony that the up and coming fashion designers in Uganda are not simply sleeping and copying from veterans.
Anita Beryl, fresh from showcasing at Accra Fashion Week, closed day two with the latest from her Beryl Qouture label. She was also nominated in the best East Africa Fashion Designer category, which was won by Kenya’s Jamil Walji.
But not everyone left empty-handed. Ronald Waiswa, signed to Joram Model Management, won the East African Model of the Year category. He is also nominated for Ugandan Male Model of the Year in the Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards (ASFAs) happening this weekend at Serena hotel.
Gloria Haguma, a fashion blogger and writer, won the Best East African Fashion Journalist category, capping a fantastic night for the Ugandan contingent in Dar.
Swahili Fashion Week is a platform founded and created by celebrated Tanzanian fashion designer, Mustafa Hassanali in 2008. It is a platform for fashion and accessory designers from Kiswahili- speaking countries and the African continent to showcase their talent, market their creativity and network.
Sylvia Owori is one of the Ugandans who have previously showcased and won.
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