Return of the fashion week

________________

The last time we saw anything labelled a ‘fashion week’ was in 2019. That was the period ‘Before COVID’, which some refer to as BC. In fact, that year we had two of them, with Santa Anzo’s Uganda Fashion Week happening in August at the Serena, and Gloria Wavamunno holding Kampala Fashion Week at the Yamasen Japanese restaurant in Muyenga in October.

Since then, there has been zilch. Until now. If the Ebola scare hadn’t happened, we would have had two in June. But they were both postponed, and so now we will have two in quick succession.

First up will be Bold Fashion Week, taking place from Wednesday, August 19 to Saturday, August 22 at Motiv, Bugolobi. Then Uganda Fashion Week will follow on September 5 at the Serena.

Bold in Africa was set up in 2012 basically as a retail business, selling exclusive women’s clothes and accessories. They held a fashion show in 2013, mainly as a launch for the business. But according to the founder, Nunu Mugyenyi, they have come a long way since then.

“Over the years, we have witnessed the incredible creativity, resilience and innovation within Africa’s fashion community,” Mugyenyi said. “This event represents the next stage of our journey, creating meaningful connections between designers, audiences and the wider fashion community while celebrating the talent shaping African fashion today.”

Bold Fashion Week will start on Wednesday, August 19, with a ‘launch party’, which will have, among others, designers, media, partners and industry guests.

Friday, August 21 will feature the actual fashion show, with several designers including Axarya, Discreet Street x Local, Good Fibre and Joan Jade. Other designers are Kifahari, Kwesh, Lamara, Ofumbi, Shurea Yasmin and Yemi Shoyemi.

Saturday, August 22 will be ‘market day’, where participating designers and brands will have their wares on sale.