Day 20 of #BOTY2019 :Fashion/style trend

A fashion trend according to Quora.com  is a particular style, or clothing popular at a certain point of time or a particular period of time.

I wore whatever I was comfortable with this year. I`m t-shirt ,jeans and sneakers kinda girl and I wore them this year. I have a pair of boots I bought in Nairobi a while back and it has come in handy in this ever changing Kampala weather.

I also have a liking for jumpsuits and dungarees,I own a couple of them.I hope in 2020 the fashionistas will invent jumpsuits and dungarees that are easy to take off once in the rest rooms,because the current ones are a nightmare.

 

What was your favorite fashion trend this year?

 

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Extraordinaire 7:Unique Liz

This week welcome with me Atai Elizabeth to the No Ordinary Scribbles table to share more about her brand unique Liz, turning passion into a profession.

1. Who is Atai Elizabeth in a few words.

Atai is a simple heart/head girl with a huge heart for beauty. She is extremely creative, outgoing ,stylish and loves Jesus.

2. Did your creative and stylish persona lead to the birth of Unique Liz?

Yes, because people constantly asked me where I got my clothes from and I used to help most of them shop.

3. Describe Unique Liz in a few words.

Unique Liz is a brand that focuses on shopping clothes for clients as well as styling. The shopping ranges from kwanjula or kuhingira outfits to casual clothes, office attire or party dresses and so much more. It’s been running for 1 year, 11 months and we are about to make a year, yeiiii, Ebenezer.

4. Have you always been passionate about fashion & shopping?

I have always loved fashion in that when I was younger,I wanted to be Miss.Uganda. I remember we used to model using towels and scarves in our dormitories. I won Miss.Giraffe…😂😂😂😂

Shopping came in later when people constantly asked me where I got my clothes from and I also used to help most of them shop. It also grew because I used it as therapy when my mother passed on last year. They call it retail therapy. This contributed to the solidification of Unique Liz as a brand.

5. How does unique liz operate,if one desires your services?

Well, Unique Liz desires to make her clients her friends. Therefore, we set an appointment, it could be both physical or virtual (phone mainly). I may ask for pictures to know clients’ sizes and taste (if it’s over the phone). After the appointment, I get the client an estimated budget for whatever they have ordered for so that a deposit is made. Then I go downtown, take photos of the clothes and send to clients. Sometimes I just buy the item because I trust my taste.

6. What type of clientele does unique liz cater to?

I don’t think I have a specific clientele. As long as I can get something that a client has asked for I get it. I have shopped for mothers, fathers, working class, middle aged people, campusers and kids.

7. How do you deal with clients who play the cat and mouse game when it comes to payments?

Haha. Well I rarely have to deal with that. There’s usually a deposit made before I go shopping and the ones who don’t deposit, I have done work with them before so I trust them and they pay. But my patience is the trick. I am really patient with my clients, I give them the best at affordable prices knowing that they will come back, if they stay without paying, it’s difficult to come back so they eventually pay.

If one insists on not paying, I let go. Business has loses and profits. I am a Christian and I believe in forgiveness and it’s God who grows businesses.

8.Share some lessons you have learnt while running your business that other entrepreneurs can learn from.

+Pray always.

+Give, Let not the desire to make profits and money kill the giving principle.

+Appreciate your clients by checking up on them. It goes a long way.

9.Achievements

For me, Unique Liz as a whole is an achievement. I never even thought I would handle a business. Now we are making a year and we are happy and healthy.

Follow Unique Liz on Instagram: @ataibeth3 and Facebook: Elizabeth Atai for all your shopping needs.

Photo credit: Unique Liz

Kizza Racheal ©2017.

Lamachi: a Jack(line) of all trades?

It`s not everyday that you meet a 20-something lady doing things that many dream about. Today, I introduce you to Lamachi(did I mention that I love her name?!!well-I do), gifted musically and her hands prosper in whatever they choose to do. She has a huge personality that oozes kindness and love.

1. Who is Lamachi?

Lamachi: Lamachi apa(actually preferred as ) my new name version -Purple:is a child of God whose greatest desire is to know the love of God more and to mirror it on the earth.

2. What are you passionate about?

Wow!!…That question is ambiguous when it comes to me. I am passionate about A LOT of things. In precise order, I must add:-God, people, loving the above, the color purple, teaching the word, design (in general), fashion design, counselling, fine art, music,singing ,and just being.

Multi-media wall hanging with stained glass,local and glass beads ,calabash,bamboo,bark cloth and beaded painting on canvas. Photo credit: Lamachi

3. Are you pursuing music professionally?

Well,yes and no. For a long time, I was just doing music with people who were doing it professionally. (Talk about collabos and the background eish,hehehe.)Until recently, when I was asked to train people in music and worship by 3 institutions/ministries.One of them being a bible college. So you can say,I am doing it professionally. But ,if it were left to me, I consider myself a worshiper who is here to teach and usher people into the mysteries of worship.Then they can walk on their own from there. I also teach them fundamentals of music and singing, which is a stepping stone to ministering.Worship being a KEY word.

Photo credit: Lamachi

4. Where does fashion and design come in?

My middle name is Jackline and I often tell people I am a Jack(line) of all trades. I have this tinkering ability to do something new, and do it well. So, having been presented with a sewing machine by my mom after my first degree,I literally taught myself how to sew and then enrolled for a master`s degree where I majored in sewing(Fashion Design),more like fine art and they are both academically my professions.

5. Do you plan/intend on doing it full time?

Yes!!I work at an organization where tailoring is THE job.So, when I go home and do my personal orders, it is just a continuation of my day time job. So tailoring is my full time work.

6. How do you deal with people who take ages to pay up?

Well,I have not sewn professionally for long.I am just easing into it but ,I dont work on anything that hasn`t been already paid for in full or close to it. That`s my rule.

7. Any future prospects.

Hehehe. I will not be jinxed!!hahaha,anyway,I think it is safe to say,“watch this space”.The bible says,“man may make his plans ,but God has the final say. Jeremiah 29:11 that`s where you will find my future plans.

8. Advice to people who want to venture into the clothing/sewing/tailoring business.

I say go for it. Be sure to have what I call the 3 ps that every tailor must have:passion,patience and perseverance.

Racheal Kizza © 2017

Extraordinaire 1:The Mutano story

1. Who is Shiellah A. Muhumuza?

SM: I am a 24 year old creative, with a passion for God, fashion, and solving problems. Currently the lead designer at Mutano-an accessory line that deals in a wide range of hair accessories, necklaces,earings,bags for both men and women, bow ties.

Photo credit:Mutano

2. Why the name Mutano?

SM: Mutano comes from a rukiga word, `ekyomutano’ meaning something unique and the name perfectly represents the brand.

I desired to create products that were unique with both western and local influences since I have experienced both worlds.

3. Mutano`s story

SM: I started making things like earrings, bracelets and simple headbands in 2013 in my first holiday break. I was pursuing a business computing course at Uganda Christian University (UCU).Friends loved my simple things and they encouraged me to grow it into full scale business hence the birth to Mutano in June, 2015.

I started with a sewing machine my parents had given me and a little pocket money from my school days to kick-start off Mutano in 2015. The products I made in 2013 were not with a machine but just my hands.

4. What is Unique about Mutano?

SM: We engage in social entrepreneurship. My mum has a school –Nyamiramah Christian School in Kanungu district where kids pay subsidized fees. Mutano gives a percentage from every product sold to the school, to support the children.

5. What`s your Typical day like?

SM: My days are divided into 3; Workshop, delivery and shopping days.

So on either of those days, I get up and have devotions, cup of tea and then go to work from 10am.

6. Mutano`s future plans?

SM: Mutano `s vision is to mentor and empower young women to save, have practical skills alongside business skills. Giving back in my mum`s school is one step in the right direction. Mutano will be employing ladies to work on the day to day running of the business as they are empowered.

7. What do you do for fun?

SM: I am a foodie so I explore restaurants, watch movies and hang out with friends. Live bands are a must attend for me.

8. Advise for young people

SM: Do what you love to do-nothing is too small. When you start a business ,build your business skills.

9. Social media links….

Fb:mutano

Insta:mutanoug

Racheal Kizza © 2017