Do not chase every trend

Recently, I got involved in a heated debate with a friend. Apparently she had nothing sexy to wear to a party but as I went through her wardrobe, I came across this beautiful black bandage dress.

She tried it on and looked really beautiful, but said it was out of style so she could not wear it.

Dear ladies, just because a style is no longer popular on the red carpet or Elle magazine says it is out of style does not mean you should throw it away. It is all about how great you look and how it makes you feel on the inside.

Truth be told, not many of us can afford to buy the latest designs as soon as they hit the market. Even if you are able to get what the top designers have for this year’s spring/summer collection, there is no guarantee that they will look good on you. Getting caught up in chasing trends can result in wearing the most recent outfits but looking so off in them. Someone wearing what could be termed as ‘last season’ but turning eyes towards her is way better.

The trick is to not buy the obvious looks when a trend hits town. For example, the gladiators were an in thing but up to now you meet someone showing off a pair of well-manicured feet in subtle gladiators and you cannot help but notice.

Would it be the same for the knee high gladiators? No. If you live in NYC and follow trends, maybe. But if you are in Kampala, you bought the right outfit and still look as hot in it as you did last year, go on rock it. To hell with chasing trends.

Lady Tok is here

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.