Musisi’s Samaki makes chic African designs
HERBERT Musisi is certainly determined to bring all his dreams to life. He has drawn inspiration from the designs on fish, tree leaves and African crafts like baskets or gourds. And from these, he has created 600 fantastic new staff suits that match well with the exquisite insides of the new Serena
By Titus Serunjogi
HERBERT Musisi is certainly determined to bring all his dreams to life. He has drawn inspiration from the designs on fish, tree leaves and African crafts like baskets or gourds. And from these, he has created 600 fantastic new staff suits that match well with the exquisite insides of the new Serena Hotel. Today, fashion-savvy celebrities from all over town are trickling into Musisi’s Ggaba-based Samaki Designs to get hold of glamourous and chic outfits.
A fine artiste-turned-fashion designer, Musisi can create anything to suit anyone’s heart’s desires. Think of a unique necktie that can match well with an office suit. Or think of funky denim pants and T-shirts for teenagers. Think of loose hanging robes that will make you stand out from the crowd at a party or of magnificent wedding dresses made from duchesse silk satins or creamy chiffon. This designer behind the famous Samaki fashion label does it all.
At his outlet, Quality Hill in Kabalagala, neckties cost from sh25,000 while T-shirts cost between sh20,000 and sh35,000. Ceremonial gowns and robes cost between sh80,000 and sh150,000. All his outfits are made from the finest cottons or silk and dyed by hand.
“I believe our clothes should tell onlookers about who we are and how we would like them to respond to us,†says Musisi. So, he has dyed the hotel staff’s uniforms with abstract patterns that represent the African custom of sharing meals with visitors.
Other Samaki outfits are dyed in abstract patterns that express the human desire for affection and happiness. Every Samaki outfit looks stunning as it is done in typical African style, but with a modern edgy flair.
Seen Karitas Karisimbi’s dazzling pink gown in which she presented the Uganda Fashion Week over East African TV? How about Gaetano Kaggwa’s outfits on Studio 53?
Many celebrated brides have also been adorned in Samaki masterpieces. Little wonder that Musisi has established a cult following since he opened his studio on Quality Hill, Kabalagala. He has since exhibited in Nairobi, Las Vegas and London.
Today, it is hard to believe that Musisi had had to earn his bread and school dues by vending batiks in Nairobi city. His big breakthrough came in 1990 when he exhibited several of his batiks and wooed hundreds of Londoners. He was taken to lecture at the St. Martin’s School of Art. And he has never looked back since then.
He married Anne, one of his enthusiasts.
And together they returned to Uganda to fall into the thick of screen-printing and tailoring. The Serena Hotel staff uniforms project is definitely a highpoint of his career.
HERBERT Musisi is certainly determined to bring all his dreams to life. He has drawn inspiration from the designs on fish, tree leaves and African crafts like baskets or gourds. And from these, he has created 600 fantastic new staff suits that match well with the exquisite insides of the new Serena Hotel. Today, fashion-savvy celebrities from all over town are trickling into Musisi’s Ggaba-based Samaki Designs to get hold of glamourous and chic outfits.
A fine artiste-turned-fashion designer, Musisi can create anything to suit anyone’s heart’s desires. Think of a unique necktie that can match well with an office suit. Or think of funky denim pants and T-shirts for teenagers. Think of loose hanging robes that will make you stand out from the crowd at a party or of magnificent wedding dresses made from duchesse silk satins or creamy chiffon. This designer behind the famous Samaki fashion label does it all.
At his outlet, Quality Hill in Kabalagala, neckties cost from sh25,000 while T-shirts cost between sh20,000 and sh35,000. Ceremonial gowns and robes cost between sh80,000 and sh150,000. All his outfits are made from the finest cottons or silk and dyed by hand.
“I believe our clothes should tell onlookers about who we are and how we would like them to respond to us,†says Musisi. So, he has dyed the hotel staff’s uniforms with abstract patterns that represent the African custom of sharing meals with visitors.
Other Samaki outfits are dyed in abstract patterns that express the human desire for affection and happiness. Every Samaki outfit looks stunning as it is done in typical African style, but with a modern edgy flair.
Seen Karitas Karisimbi’s dazzling pink gown in which she presented the Uganda Fashion Week over East African TV? How about Gaetano Kaggwa’s outfits on Studio 53?
Many celebrated brides have also been adorned in Samaki masterpieces. Little wonder that Musisi has established a cult following since he opened his studio on Quality Hill, Kabalagala. He has since exhibited in Nairobi, Las Vegas and London.
Today, it is hard to believe that Musisi had had to earn his bread and school dues by vending batiks in Nairobi city. His big breakthrough came in 1990 when he exhibited several of his batiks and wooed hundreds of Londoners. He was taken to lecture at the St. Martin’s School of Art. And he has never looked back since then.
He married Anne, one of his enthusiasts.
And together they returned to Uganda to fall into the thick of screen-printing and tailoring. The Serena Hotel staff uniforms project is definitely a highpoint of his career.