American-based Ugandan fashion model, Aamito Lagum, was among the winners of Friday’s Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards, taking the award for Trailblazer.
The 2013 winner of Africa’s Next Top Model, a reality television show and spin-off to America’s Next Top Model, is in Uganda where she among other things hosted an exclusive ASFA’s pre-party.
The New York-based model who began her modeling career at age 16 in Uganda has done it all. Including appearing in various magazines like i-D, Interview, Love, W, V, American Harper’s Bazaar, Italian and South African Elle among others. She has made the cover of American Allure magazine and that of British Elle.
At the ASFAs, the accolade was handed to her by South African fashion designer, David Tlale.
“I would like to give this award to all the women in the house. Keep raising your standards. And if he misbehaves, dump him. I’m kidding. To everyone here who keeps striving every day, who is ambitious, who wants the best for themselves, this award goes to you,” said Lagum who was in 2015 ranked by Cosmopolitan as one of the most successful contestants of the Top Model franchise.
Hosted by TV host and socialite, Sheilah Gashumba alongside radio host and actor, Ethan Kavuma, the awards celebrated the movers and shakers of Africa’s fashion scene.
David Tlale (South Africa), Eric Raisina (Madagascar), Mai Atafo (Nigeria) Jenm (South Sudan), Monix of Ipigogo Fashion House (Uganda), SKP clothing line (Uganda) and Abryanz (Uganda) were among the designers that showcased their collections.
Raisina won the lifetime achievement award.
The awards gala was attended by celebrities like A Pass, Judith Heard, Vinka, the Nabwisos, Zari, Natasha Sinayobye, Spice Diana, Ruyonga, Kataleya & Kandle, former Miss Uganda Oliver Nakakande among others.
Presenters included Zari, Bad Black, Housen Mushema, the Mulondos, GNL Zamba and wife Tamal, Tlale, Nataliey Bitature and Halima Namakula among others.
While the 2019 ASFAs rode on the buzz from Jidena’s surprise performance, this time only the local acts – Winnie Nwagi, Toniks, Jackie Chandiru, Pia Pounds, Pastor Wilson Bugembe, Gabriel K and Grenade – made the roster.
Elsewhere on the continent, Ebuka (Big Brother Naija host) won Most Stylish Male Personality (Africa), Fireboy won Most Stylish Male Artiste (Africa) and his video Bandana won Most fashionable Music Video (Africa). Ayra Starr won Most Stylish Female Artiste (Africa).
Rwanda’s celebrated designer, Moses Turahirwa, of Moshions won Designer of the Year (Africa).
Among the winners also was Angella Summer Namubiru who recently won the African Social Star accolade in E!’s People’s Choice Awards 2022. At the ASFAs, she took the Fashion Influencer Award.
Amidst the pomp and glam, many were keen to acknowledge the return to normal following the 2-year disruption caused by the Covid pandemic. This year’s ASFAs were themed Awakening. And for a good number of winners, this gratitude reflected in their speeches.
The ASFAs are doing well in their attempt to have a continental appeal. What could give it an extra oomph however would be to appeal to more stars locally. For an entertainment industry that has accumulated a good concentration of news makers over the last two decades, you didn’t see them in the room. Why are so many names still missing at a night that attracts the most media attention and gets social media buzzing?
Beyond the pop culture, where are the athletes that have won global acclaim for their stellar performances?
Where are the politicians who have at the beginning of each Parliamentary tenure gone all out to showcase their style? It’s hard to forget when U.S. congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, wore a white off-the-shoulder gown with the phrase “Tax the rich” at the Met Gala. Imagine if the Ugandan Prime Minister walked the red carpet donning an outfit out of the usual. Fashion is an expression. At least, singer A Pass gets that.
“The people who associate the pink with the other gender have an agenda. I don’t put full stops, commas to fashion. I let it flow. All these colors are for us. God made them beautiful, so you chose whatever you like. We make statements with what we’re wearing,” the singer told Plugged, in response to the Joe Malaika pink polka-dotted outfit he wore.
But it all comes down to what the event intends to achieve. As much as style is the overriding factor, the fact that the event requires talkability – in mainstream and new media – goes without saying. How do you achieve that without meticulously picking who to invite? The organizers must not only widen the pool of the guest list but also do it very strategically. Yes, those that can afford the ticket, but most of all, those that will make the headlines for at least a week.
The fashion designers too must get innovative with the way they brand themselves. If it means putting all your stakes to dressing up a Cheptegei or a King Oyo or a popular influencer, then you would do it, as long as it wins your brand mileage.
At the same time, the urge to play catch-up with the contemporary designs ought not to be at the expense of Uganda’s abundance in cultural diversity. Only Ipigogo’s collection came close to showcasing style in the African traditional sense. On the red-carpet, you could hardly see the many tribes reflected in what guests wore. An indictment to the designers’ creativity.
