Satisfashion UG, a Ugandan fashion web-magazine has today released its digital cover for October 2019 starring rapper Big Tril.
Famed for being the fastest Ugandan rapper, Big Tril is credited for being one of the creative forces taking Uganda’s hip hop scene from the back seat.
For the story, the rapper was interviewed by George Wabweyo, a seasoned arts journalist and rapper. He was photographed by Gerald Ochieng of Ochieng photography, an emerging photographer we recently stumbled upon on Instagram.
Styling and wardrobe was managed by Brian Ahumuza, founder of Abryanz Style & Fashion Awards.
In the accompanying interview, the rapper explains why he’s always misunderstood and the future of hip hop in Uganda.
Excerpts
On people thinking he’s so full of himself
Nobody should tell me what to do. If I have aspirations and dreams, don’t tell me how to dream. If I wanna win a Grammy for my country, that is my dream. Anyone who is saying what not…I don’t care. Those are their insecurities. I said what I said and I intend to do what I said. I am a man of my word.
On his style choices
To each their own. I love skinny jeans, I wear skinny jeans. But not everyone can wear skinny jeans. See, people who wear skinny jeans are usually comfortable in their skin.
On the creative direction he took for his ‘Parte after Parte’ music video
Everybody thought I’d go for a normal video. But see, when I released the audio of the song, the DJs played it so much, the video was my only way of giving back to them. It’s basically an exhibit of their work, like on a typical night out in Kampala.
The awards show celebrates and acknowledges African fashion industry stakeholders including fashion designers, models, icons, media influencers amongst others.
On the 13th of December 2019, at the Kampala Serena hotel, the Asfas once again will be broadcast live on Uganda’s leading broadcaster NTV Uganda, DSTV channel 190, spice tv will shine a spotlight on African fashion on the 7th edition of the ASFAS. The annual celebration of African fashion creatives, the ASFAS are back under the theme ‘the starz’ set to be the biggest edition yet with a mission to shine a global spotlight on the African fashion industry while highlighting creativity, achievement and excellence.
The awards seek to highlight the tradition of selflessness of the African nation to uplift one another through advancements of adoption, and the modern generation that tirelessly challenges the socio-political global status quo. With compelling ideas between self-identity and recognition of ownership, this theme seeks to emphasize that this new outlook of the future African generation is for “us by us” hence it’s name the starz.
ASFA 2019 will celebrate African creatives across 14 categories. In line with the ASFA2019 THEME, this year’s show will also feature special HONORARY AWARDS i.e. Icon Award, Positive Change And Special Recognition Award For Innovation. The nominations start on 20th September 2019 and end on 8th October 2019.
Another new development this year will see the ASFAs partnering with Talent Africa, Uganda’s leading events and entertainment company who will work together with the ASFAs to bring a new level of professionalism in event and business management. The ultimate goal of the new partnership is to make the ASFAs the biggest fashion event in Africa.
Talent Africa CEO Aly Allibhai states “Talent Africa is really excited to partner with the Abryanz Style and Fashion on this venture as a business partner and events management company. The ASFAs are already on amazing event and Talent Africa is dedicated to doing what we can do to make it even better and growing ASFA to another level. Look out for some new and exciting changes to this year’s edition”
The ASFAs 2019 come with excitement of Partners, sponsors, fashion personalities, production and major stakeholders expressing their enthusiasm and eagerness. “The ASFAs have been an iconic instrumental change to the Business of Fashion and modelling not only in Uganda but Africa at large. The Awards are more than tribalizers to pushing the boundaries of African Fashion boarders and celebrating the narrative of futuristic African Fashion.” Says Joram Muzira Job, Production manager, Fashion Show.
Veronic Rubanga From Fenon said “We are always very excited to be part of the biggest Fashion Awarding event for the 7th year running, as we have been a part of this journey from the very start. Fenon is known for the innovation and executing high end and classy events and the attendees should expect a bigger and better production at the event this year. We always aim to push the limits and deliver a new, never seen before experience.
We have many surprises in store and can’t wait to unveil them.” While Angie Kemi-Omeke CEO Pink Coconut is also overwhelmed at the announcement of the return of the ASFAs this year.
“If you have been following the ASFAs, you will realize they are a celebration of fashion and style. They are also a representation of Ugandan and international culture, pomp and pizzazz.
As Pink Coconut Decor, we strive to be part of anything that gives people a chance to comment with their true self while showcasing talent, hence once again this year we are pleased to be working with ASFA as the official decor partner.” she added. Celebrating the Asfa2019 starz, the awards will encompass three events featuring star designers, stylists artistes, emerging fashionistas etc. including a nominees party, fashionpreneur summit / workshop for aspiring designers and fashion entrepreneurs, a model master class, where they will display their works of art, network and work together First staged in 2013, the Abryanz Style And Fashion Awards have recognised the talent of designers, achievers and personalities across the continent, rewarding icons and game changers such as David Tlale, Mafikizolo, Mai Atafo, Her Royal Highness The Princess Of Tooro Elizabeth Bagaya, Super Model Aamito Stacy Lagum, Santa Anzo Amongst Others.
In line with the Asfa 2019 theme the Starz, this year’s show will be a STAR packed edition with STAR performances, STAR designer showcases, STAR models, STAR hosts, STAR appearances on the red-carpet and main stage.
Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards will continue it’s blooming relationship with last year’s main sponsor Ciroc Ultra-Premium Vodka, Isuzu and media partners NTV Uganda and Capital FM for this year’s edition.
Other sponsors and Partners include; Serena Hotel Kampala, South African Airways, Schweppes, pink coconut, Fenon, Big Eye Uganda, MAC, and Imagine design and build.
Content courtesy of Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards & Nairobi fashion hub
Welcome to September! Welcome to the month of fashion! We’re celebrating all things fearless this month.
To kick things off, Natasha Sinayobye, an actress, model and fashion influencer and Stallone Lubwama, a fashion model star on the cover of this special edition. Sinayobye, who is famous for her clean short hair got a major beauty makeover we’ve not seen before, while Lubwama hid his face.
Photographed by Fred Bugembe & styled by Solomon Tazibone
Anna Kirya caught up with her for a dive into her life and can we count the number of ways she is fearless on only one hand? Impossible. Read the full interview here.
The fearlessness doesn’t end here, while preparing for this shoot we made some very fundamental last minute changes we feel were very fearless, but guess what, the risk played out in our favour. See the cover below.
During the shoot, I saw and admired the way Sinayobye put her fearlessness to use. From her ease with the makeup to her assertiveness as the day progressed. I learnt that she is a strong fearless woman who is not afraid of speaking her truth. She won’t simply be accommodating for the sake of it, when her peace of mind is at stake, which is something I could learn a thing or two about – especially when I am a bit of a pushover sometimes.
We should all head into the last lap of this year in style; Fearless Style we mean!
Enjoy this exclusive behind the scenes look at the shoot:
After a while without the much anticipated Uganda International Fashion Week in the eyes of several fashion diehards, the event finally returned last week at the Kampala Serena Hotel. To create a difference this time around, designs showcased were fused with a rich South African touch of fashion. The event was not a one-day affair, it started earlier with a couple of fashion activities.
Form is temporary, class is permanent. Arapapa’s Santa Anzo lived true to the adage when her Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW) made a grand comeback at the Kampala Serena Hotel, last week from on 2nd to 4th of August, 2019. Hosted by ARAPAPA by Santa Anzo in proud association with South Africa’s Department of Arts and Culture, UIFW 2019 lived up to its billing as Uganda’s biggest fashion event, even after a decade hiatus.
The event’s main focus, which emphasized ‘The Business Behind Fashion,’ magnified the potential of fashion as a vehicle for swift economic development in Africa.
“Fashion, like Petroleum and Gas, Communication and Tourism, Agriculture and Transport is a multi-billion industry awaiting exploitation. Uganda, the time is now!” said Santa Anzo, MD and Chief Fashion Designer, Arapapa while addressing the fashion enthusiasts who attended the event. The Uganda International Fashion Week climaxed with a grand showcase featuring some of Africa’s finest designers including four South Africans and home-grown talent. With international fashion producer Jan Malan directing the show, it met the standards of a showcase in the fashion capitals of the world like Paris, Milan and New York.
The designers who showcased included Alvada Collections, Judith Artelier and Mmuso Maxwell from South Africa, plus Uganda’s Arapapa by Santa Anzo, Abbas Kaijuka of Kia’s Divo Collection, Paula Butagira and Fatumah Asha.
Away from the runway showcases, the two-day event included highly interactive seminars, discussion panels, knowledge-sharing, mentorship and master class sessions.
Another objective of UIFW is to create an intersection between fashion and tourism. Uganda Tourism Board CEO Lilly Ajarova used the event to sell Uganda’s tourism offerings to guests including the fact that Uganda has more than 50 percent of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla population, the source of the River Nile and the second largest fresh water body in the world. Ajarova said that tourists are looking for more offerings apart from natural resources and noted that this is an opportunity our unique fashion can tap into.
Founded in 2003, UIFW has inspired, nurtured and developed the local fashion industry into a vibrant sector, recognized by the business sector, academia, tourism sector, government and diplomatic missions. The event was made possible by support from Uganda Tourism Board, Kansai Plascon and Kampala Serena Hotel.
The finallist designers at Uganda international Fashion Week were, Fatumah Asha, Kai’s Divo Collection, Giosef by Paula Butagira, Judith collections from South Africa and Arapapa by Santa Anzo. Other notables were Abryanz, Judith Heard and Joram Muzira among others. Besides the runway cut walks, guests were ear-massaged by the talented saxophonist, Joseph Sax.
