The highly anticipated Afri Art Fashion Week is set to kick off this Friday, August 15th, with its inaugural Inter-University Fashion Challenge. This groundbreaking event, a first for the fashion week, marks a new chapter in fostering young creative talent in Uganda. Born from a series of successful student career talks by Trillion Looks Store, the challenge brings together 30 ambitious students from prestigious institutions like the University of Kisubi, Michelangelo School of Creative Art and Design, Makerere University, and Kyambogo University.
Students have formed five-person teams and will compete under the theme, “Reimagine Fashion.” The challenge is a testament to the students’ innovative spirit, offering a platform to showcase their unique artistic visions. After months of preparation, including catwalk and confidence-building training from Enzo Productions, the students and their models are ready to take the runway by storm.
The judging process is a two-part affair, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the students’ work. A panel of three esteemed judges—Winnie Kirabo, Godfrey Katende, and Harriet Hala—will first review the designs before the show. This will be followed by a live, face-to-face judging session during the event. The students will not only have a runway to display their creations but also a dedicated hall for the judges to conduct a close inspection of each outfit.
Meet The Judges
Winnie Kirabo
Winnie Kirabo is the CO- Founder of Wyne Kirabo a Ugandan-born, Barcelona-based fashion whose work embodies a dialogue between form and feeling, tradition and innovation, Africa and Europe.
Her vision has resonated across borders and disciplines. She is the winner of the ASFA Award 2022 for Best Emerging African Designer, a speaker at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Barcelona, was included in the list of “20 Young African Creatives to Know” by the multi-award-winning The Africa Report, nominated for the Top 40 Under 40 list by Uganda’s leading English-language newspaper, New Vision, and serves as a jury member for final degree projects at the University of Girona/Qstura.
Godfrey Katende
Katende Godfrey is an Ugandan fashion designer based in Kampala who draws inspiration from the art of ancient African fashion, modern urban architecture, and futuristic design. He is passionate about showcasing African tradition, heritage, and culture through unique and forward-thinking designs. His garments are made using natural and indigenous materials such as Nsimbi (cowrie shells), Lubugo (barkcloth), and second-hand garments, combined with experimental shapes and patterns.
Aside from his fashion work, Katende also uses fashion as a tool for positive social change. He organizes community fashion outreach programs called “Fashion cyphers” every month in Uganda, and he also hosts an annual fashion event called “Kwetu Kwanza,” meaning “ours first,” which promotes sustainable consumption of fashion and raises awareness about the negative social and environmental impacts of unsustainable fashion practices.
Overall, Katende Godfrey is a talented and socially conscious designer who is dedicated to promoting sustainable and ethical fashion practices while celebrating African culture and tradition through his designs
Harriet Hala
Harriet Hala Kahuzu is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of FAB L’Style Magazine in Austria. She has created a platform dedicated to showcasing fashion, arts, beauty, and lifestyle with a focus on emerging markets. Based in Vienna, the magazine serves as a voice for creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange across Africa, Europe, and beyond. Harriet, with a wide network spanning America, Europe, and Africa, is renowned for her ability to connect diverse creative communities, and foster conversation on innovation and opportunity in the global creative economy. She has cultivated relationships with industry leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs, enabling her to act as an influential socio-economic bridge between Austria and
Africa.
Will you Join the Inter-University Fashion Challenge?
The event will takes place at Innovation District (formerly Design Hub) in Bugolobi and will run from 12:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Tickets are available for purchase at www.afriartfashionshow.com/tickets. At only ugx 10,000/=
Seven deserving winners will be announced at the end of the day, including the Best Team, Best Overall Student Designer, and Best Designer per category. While the winners will be celebrated on the day, they will receive their awards at the main Afri Art Fashion Show on August 23rd at MOTIV in Bugolobi. This inaugural challenge promises to be a vibrant showcase of the future of African fashion.
