Sylvia Owor

Sylvia Owori She was born 1976 is a Ugandan fashion designer, businesswoman political lobbyist and entrepreneur. She is the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Zipa Modeling Agency, a company that she founded and owns. She is reported to be one of the wealthiest individuals in Uganda, the third-largest economy in the East African Community.

Sylvia Owori is one of today’s leading figures in East Africa’s Fashion, media, and modeling industries, famous for both her entrepreneurial skills as well as for her creative talent.

Her break into fashion happened when she took on the challenge of revitalizing the ‘Miss Uganda Beauty Pageant’, (2001-2004) which following her input became one of the most significant events on the Ugandan social calendar. She also revealed her innovative talent by designing outfits for the contestants of the M-Net Face of Africa in Dar es Salaam (2000) and Cape Town, which resulted in immense acclaim from the public as well as from fashion critics. Following this positive feedback, Sylvia was appointed to design the Nokia Face of Africa’s Ugandan finalist’s outfit in 2001.

Sylvia Owori, the brand, launched in 2004 and provides a range of prêt-a-porter exclusively on sale in the flagship store in Kampala and in an outlet in Nairobi. Described as a balanced mix between smart and elegant outfits for work and trendy casual wear for leisure, her label is all designed with sophisticated and modern working women in mind.

Most recently Sylvia Owori launched an Uganda Organic Collection which she showcased in Italy.

This collection represents Uganda and the rich cotton that is grown from its fertile soils. It depicts fashion with an aspect of environmental friendliness exuding from Uganda. Sylvia Owori, therefore contributing to the development of the society. This collection is very special to Sylvia Owori, and has a theme of ‘fashion with a purpose’!

The other aspect to this collection is the ‘paper beads’. These beads are made from coloured paper by the rural women in Uganda. This empowers their lives, as employment is created and poverty eradicated in Uganda.

Content courtesy of Nairobi fashion hub