By Agnes Asiimwe & Elizabeth Kameo
Dec 16, 2003
To say Natasha Kainembabazi Karugire's show was a success would be an understatement. Flair, glow, simplicity, creativity, professionalism and the celebration of beautiful African women were all encompassed in the spectacular show.
Friday evening saw guests headed for Munyonyo. With the cheapest ticket going for Shs 50,000, we didn't encounter any traffic jams. A cocktail, then the guests walked into the hall. At 8.40 p.m the president, Yoweri Museveni led by the designer and daughter, Natasha walked in. Musician Juliana Kanyomozi made an exhilarating presentation of the national anthem. The emcee, Irene Kulabako, came on and set the fashion show in motion. First we saw the black, yellow and red theme, colours inspired by the Uganda flag, made mainly of silk and linen. The clothes were flowing and generous, perfectly made to suit the shape of the African woman. Next was the savannah collection mainly of bark cloth that was expertly patched with cotton, khaki and denim to get modern and formal outfits. There was the Ente collection in silk and velvet directly based on colours and patterns of the Ankole cows. Then there was the celestial collection, the embroidery with bird feathers and beaded headgear. The collection was a variety, considering that we were looking at outfits for two hours. Then Natasha stood up to give mainly a thank you speech. She walked up the stage, in a flowing gown from her ente collection-white silk with black floral prints. She held the microphone and words seemed to desert her. The audience laughed. It appeared as though she had to master all the energy from her entire body, then in a trembling, very emotional voice that touched all present as she spoke. "I give thanks to my God, I thank my father (and my mother who couldn't be with us), my kids who have unknowingly inspired me, my sisters and brother, the sponsors who made it possible, Terp and Odrek for taking me on, my husband Edwin for believing in me, and everybody here for bringing grace and honour to this occasion." And if you thought President Museveni didn't know much about fashion, hold on. His ideas on fashion are quite superb. The guest of honour and father to the designer started off telling parents to encourage their children in their interests, and not coach them into something they don't like since 'people have different gifts and interests.' He amused the audience with his comments on the shape of the African woman, which he said was not catered for in modern dress. "The African woman has got a shape, you know that shape...especially in the Great Lakes region," he said. He called on Natasha to cater for the African woman. R&B crooner Cornell Stone wowed the audience with his Luther Vandross-like voice. |
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