There was no better way to end the fashion calendar at Club Silk’s monthly fashion show. Stella Atal showcased three collection in her unique Afrocentric style. Recycled wear, Sunshine, Old Skool were the collections she showcased. Old skool simply blew me away. More pictures and details coming soon. 
When Agnes Ajuna talks about fashion, you can feel the passion she has for it and not just for design, but for quality and class.
She is part of the new breed of mushrooming fashion designers in Kampala. But Ajuna, whose label is Lady Tok, plans to set herself apart by designing simple, outstanding and affordable wear.
“My style is simple but outstanding. I design for people to get that beautiful wow,” she said at the launch of her fashion house at Sheraton hotel last Thursday.
Going by her showcase, the graduate from Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Art has found her niche.
Her first collection – office wear had a weekend feel to it. An outfit you can wear to office on a Friday or when you simply want to look casual. She loves working with bright hues, and designing for all sizes; her plus-size model completely rocked the runway.
However, it’s the Afro-urban collection that stole the show. Her simple cuts and vibrant colours plus matching jewellery (her own) were spot-on. Her outfits suit anybody not ready to put on a cleavage show.
One thing Ajuna needs to do is step out of her comfort zone. Looking at her creations, you can see that her highest level of creation is yet to come. She will not reach the levels of her role model Santa Anzo, who transformed African designs into fashionable attires showcasing at international stages, by playing safe.
Ajuna started designing during her final year at university to raise tuition. Working at her home in Kireka, she was encouraged by family and friends who loved her outfits. She now plans to showcase twice a year. Levixone and Coopy Bly provided the night’s entertainment with songs like Noonya Omu, Sidda mu Kyalo and Nyweza.
Shree is the story of a timid, naive and fearful girl of the same name who lives in Janakpur, India.
As her love affair with Hari from Mumbai grows, things take a different twist.
There is a spirit of a girl which hovers around Hari which loves him so much that it cannot bear any other girl in his life.
The story’s twists have made the soap so popular on Bukedde television that it is perhaps the reason more people are embracing the ever so flattering Indian wear as they emulate their stars.
At least this is what Bharat Patel tells us. His Chetna shop on Luwum street has made designs for over 5,000 brides.Attend any introduction ceremony, and you won’t miss the Sari as a changing dress, fully matched with bangles and a Tikka.The look is completed with a low neck, open back short sleeve blouse (choli), although the most common style is to have the Sari wrapped around the waist, with one end draped over the shoulder.It’s a great way of adequately displaying curves and with the right choice of fabric like silk, satin, velvet or cotton, it is winning attire.Other styles include only a skirt and blouse (chanyacholi) for casual wearers, although the top can also be matched with a trouser.
A head drape (shuka) can complement these casual attires and for accessories, look no 
further than bracelets, anklets, hair flowers and the tikka -the hair accessory that dangles in the face plus a matching handbag.
The Punjabi is the men’s favourite. I think every man should own a hand embroidered silk Punjabi suit with matching simple flat shoes. The intricate patterns and meticulous craftsmanship involved have made them a big hit here and other countries whose natives are not of Indian origin.
You don’t have to break the bank for this look. Patel can hook you up for Shs 150,000-200,000. As for the Sari, you will have to part with Shs 150,000-400,000 depending on the fabric and design.
(This article was published in The Observer)
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