Black Upon Bantu rules Italian fashion show

Mar 23, 2019

The proceeds from the show went to WAWI, an organisation that looks after women suffering from fistula

There were 20 finalists taking part in this year's fashion show organised by the Italian embassy in Uganda, dubbed the ‘Revolution Show'; but one contestant's designs stood out, and not only because they were all largely in black. Clare, who designs under the logo Bantu, was clearly heads and shoulders above the others.

"We were amazed by the quality of outfits presented," one of the judges of the night, Paris-based Stella Atal, said. "But Clare's were evidently different, maybe because she had some prior training by one of Uganda's leading designers, unlike the others."

lare antu is handed a dummy ticket by russels irlines general manager eert emmen hoto by alungi abuyeClare Bantu is handed a dummy ticket by Brussels Airlines general manager Geert Lemmen. Photo by Kalungi Kabuye

 

The show, which took place at Kampala Sheraton's Rwenzori Ballroom on Friday night, was the culmination of a week-long training and mentor program organised by the Italian embassy and the CAIU (Cultural Association of Italians in Uganda), where 20 young Ugandan designers were selected to create outfits in three categories - Creative, evening and original.

The 60 outfits created served the content of the fashion show, judged by designers Atal, Anita Beryl, K Raphael and Brenda Nanyonjo.

2nd runnerup oyce amiro 3rd from right with judges  aphael 1st left and nita eryl 2nd from left and talian mbassador to ganda omenico ornara 1st right and his wife nna hoto by alungi abuye2nd runner-up Joyce Namiro (3rd from right) with judges K Raphael (1st left) and Anita Beryl (2nd from left) and Italian Ambassador to Uganda, Domenico Fornara (1st right) and his wife Anna. Photo by Kalungi Kabuye

 

The proceeds from the show, where seats sold for as much as sh100,000, went to the Women At Work International (WAWI), an organisation that looks after women suffering from fistula.

The founding member of the organisation, Halima Namakula, was on hand to explain what they do, and fistula survivors performed for the guests. Also performing for the night was Halima's daughter, Rachel K.

achel  performs at the event hoto by alungi abuyeRachel K performs at the event. Photo by Kalungi Kabuye

 

While all the 20 participants were given gifts by Brussels Airlines, the winner, Clare, won a 3-week mentoring visit to Rome, the Italian capital.

Other prizes included dinner at the Sheraton, fabrics from West Africa, and a weekend for two in a Sheraton suite.

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