The Abyanz Fashion and Style Awards took place over the weekend at MTN Arena. Among the 22 awards was the accolade for the best dressed female and male guest. Daniela Atim (Jose Chameleone’s wife) won the ladies’ category with her black lacy dress. We present to you more looks that were in top contention for the accolade 
Designer Stella Atal paints on a piece of bark cloth
Last Thursday, the Uganda National Museum hosted a one of a kind fashion show. The pieces were partly or fully made out bark cloth (lubugo) by José Mendo. At the event, fashion designers based here and abroad hatched a plan to make bark cloth one of the mainstream fabrics on and off the runway. The Bark 2 The Roots programme is a brain child of Josephine Kyomuhendo, a UK- based fashion designer who label José Hendo has been featured on fashion shows in Europe, the New York Fashion Week and recently Kampala Fashion Week. The project is a collaboration with Makerere University School of Fine Artist, fashion designers like Stella Atal,Eva Mynsberghe and Anne Musisi among others. The idea is to bring together researchers, makers, designers, education institutions and buyers (promoting production and export) among other stakeholders to promote the environmental friendly, sustainable and renewable material that bark cloth is. 
Some designers showcased how the material from the mutuba tree can be used as fabric for clothing and decorated with patterns or mixed with other textiles, while Mynsberghe showcased how she is using the material to make jewelry. José Hendo showed the potential of bark cloth and how it can be maneuvered during designing. Her haute couture avant-garde designs showcased on that day showed how the material can become a global trend. She explained that she is using explosion of colours plus silhouettes and patterns that that can be embraced by the young generation. That way, bark can move forward but keep its heritage.
Jose Hendo (R) demonstrates bark cloth manipulation
The event partly put together by activist Winnie Sseruma also brought
together fashion lovers of different generations and eco-sustainable designers. Bark cloth was the only form of fabric way back before textiles like cotton, nylon, and polyester among others pushed it out and left it for the coffin. This project could end the stigma attached to it and put it at the same level with the likes of leather, silk and other fabrics.
Season Six of Tusker Project Fame comes to an end on 8th December. But so far we cannot have enough of the performances and yes-The Fashion statements. Every time the contestants, presenters step out, it is not just their performances we are looking out for. For the people with the eye for fashion, our eyes are on how they are dressed. From bow ties, The Ankara to Daisy’s Russian Military inspired look, all kinds of dresses, jump suits, peep-toe heels and shiny stilettos name it, and we have seen it on the show. A lot has been written and said about Uganda’s Daisy Ejang’s diva look every time she takes the stage. As the competition heats up, not only is her singing ability going higher but so are her looks.
Daisy and Judge Ian
But there is one person helping everybody put their fashion feet forward and that’s Silvia Njoki-the Official Stylist TPF6. She is responsible for the looks and she also helps the contestants during shopping at Nairobi’s Deacons.
SILVIA
The 25-year old mother of one
studied fashion styling at University of the Arts London, Central Saint Martin, UK and Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano, Italy. Her styling expertise is in regular demand for TV shows like Tusker Project fame, music videos, celebrities and a range of fashion and lifestyle publications. She is also a fashion writer and has contributed to ARISE Magazine, London. She has worked as Fashion Editor for Kenya’s Passion Magazine. For three years, she has also written about fashion for Standard Media Group. So TPF is not only about great voices but also the couture. Big up to the lady who brings fashion sense to the show!!
some of the contestants with Mitch
Online info and pictures
Sophie Tattue and Danze Mosha of Urban TV’s Fashionista. Tattu is wearing a custom made dress by Kwesh
The Club Music Video Awards (CMVA) were held over the weekend. By now you already know that the video for Navio’s Kata and GNL’s Power were the biggest winners of the night with the latter winning the coveted Best Male Video category.
Apart from Club making an impressive first impression and setting the bar too high for any contenders and possibly themselves, the event showed another side of Ugandans. They rocked that blue carpet (another pleasant surprise since we are used to the red one).
Ahumuza Brian and Kim Swagga. Kim is wearing pants by Givenchy that had everyone talking. Brian is wearing a Versace shirt. There is no doubt that he really owned this look.
There has been a way we like to turn up to events like we were just passing by. But the CMVAs showed that the majority of the guests and performers prepared themselves got their makeup and wardrobes ready for the event. It must have been the promise of a BET kind of event that got guests thinking.
Denzel arrives with co-presenter Sheila Salta. Nice ‘couple’!
Some men like Prince David Wasajja, Roger Mugisha, Maurice Mugisha, Danzel Mosha, Fred Kigozi and Denzel Mwiyeretsi among others, chose to go formal with skinny ties or bow ties.
L-R Bush Baby, Lenny Kirya, Maurice Kirya and Cinematographer Josh Mwesigwa aka Josh the Fixer
Navio, JB and Unique
Not all was formal though. Some guys especially the so-called fashion-forward men raided downtown and Abryans Collection to look good for the day. Kim Swagga, UBC’s Calvin The Entertainer, singer Levixone Lala and NTV’s Douglas Lwanga were dressed by Brian Ahumuza of Abryans.
Levixione Lala performs.
Rapper Gasuza and DJ Global represented the urban fashion forward men
According to Ahumuza, it is true more and more people are embracing fashion trends and most of the guests looked well put-together. But he is quick to add that its mainly the people with a fashion sense that are growing each day.
Prince Wasajja looked every inch royalty
Some ladies were styled by local designers. A keen fashion eye could see works of fashion designers Brenda Maraka, Xenson and Juliana Nasasira’s Kwesh fashion house. Singer Naava Grey and Urban TV’s Sophie Tattu were dressed by Xenson and Kwesh respectively.
Carol Mugasha, NTV’s Sheila Gashumba, NBS’s Vicky Bagaya and NTV’s Robin Kisti
Tattu looked stunning in that figure-hugging red dress. The way it accentuated her curves, one could tell it was definitely custom made. Maraka says more and more people are embracing local designers for the unique look.“Instead of spending a lot of money on a particular design many people are coming to us for a cheaper and unique look,” she told Fashion Police256.
Hips don’t lie
Naava Grey in a denim dress from Xenson Senkaaba’s Urban Present collection
The off-looks
Maybe the night’s hosts Caroline Mugasha and Gaetano Kaggwa did not have to change since it was a brief event, but at least the change would have saved us from Gaetano’s faded baggy jeans and orange shirt. The contrast between him and his meticulously put-together co-host was enough to cause a headache.
Gaetano Kaggwa
It is obvious that Sanyu FM’s Fat Boy did not know he was going to present an award that night. Otherwise there is no way he would have dressed like that. The untucked long sleeved striped shirt won over a pair of jeans was not a sight to behold on stage. Did he have to keep the pair of black sun glasses hanging around his neck like he was coming from the beach?
Sanyu FM’s Fat Boy (aaarrrgh!!) and NTV’s Robin Kisti.
Pairing him with NTV’s Robin Kisti in her flowing gown made him look even worse.The choice of colour for her gown – starfish orange – made her stand out.
The Straka wannabe
Me and my date!
Looking at the event wholesomely, it is in order to say, we are getting there.
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We are glad to have been part of the 1st edition of the Club Music Video Awards held last weekend. We are still compiling the pictures and a full report from there. Be on the look out.
Fashion Police
Miss Teen Fashionistas
At Miss Uganda grand finale
Miss Uganda 2012 Phiona Bizzu and Josephine Nabakooza (1st runner-up) pose for our camera
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.
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