![The Fashion Cypher: A Catalyst for Uganda's Blossoming Design Scene [PHOTO IGC FASHION]](/media/k2/items/cache/3dcbd8056f504532259e733a4b9e2ae3_L.jpg)
The Fashion Cypher: A Catalyst for Uganda's Blossoming Design Scene [PHOTO IGC FASHION]
On 1 June 2024, Kampala's fashion innovators will gather for the quarterly Fashion Cypher, a groundbreaking networking event aimed at promoting and uplifting the country's independent designers. Organized by IGC Fashion with support from the British Council Uganda, the Fashion Cypher serves as a vital platform for creatives to engage, entertain, and integrate within Uganda's rapidly evolving design landscape.
The Fashion Cypher arrives at a pivotal juncture, as President Yoweri Museveni's ban on secondhand clothing imports has sparked a wave of momentum for locally produced fashion. Embracing the #MadeInUganda ethos, a new generation of designers is stepping into the spotlight, crafting bold, authentic collections that celebrate Uganda's rich cultural heritage while incorporating contemporary flair.
"This event is all about fostering an ecosystem of mutual support and collaboration among our designers," explains the event organizer "By sharing skills, knowledge, and networks, we're empowering creatives to elevate their brands and collectively put Ugandan fashion on the global stage."
Attendees are encouraged to meet new people and discover local emerging artists committed to a brighter future for our culture, climate, and society
Beyond mere networking, the Fashion Cypher promises an immersive evening of runway exhibitions, panel discussions, and interactive workshops led by industry pioneers. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into critical topics such as sustainable production, marketing strategies, and navigating the business side of fashion.
In addition to a sustainable fashion pop-up market, the event features a diverse array of artistic performances and experiences, including live painting, art installations, a raffle, poetry, DJs, live music, and workshops on screen printing, sewing, and garment design. Recognizing the growing importance of social and environmental issues, the event emphasizes ethics and sustainability, celebrating 'slow' fashion and art. Moreover, by highlighting different art forms, we explore their interconnectivity as well as their collective significance, such as in defining Ugandan cultural identity and heritage.
IGC FASHION (Ibrahim and Godfrey’s community fashion) was founded in 2017 by two Uganda fashion designers Kasoma Ibrahim & Katende Godfrey. The brand is a fashion and costume label from Kampala in the heart of Uganda inspired by African heritage, nature, and culture always paired with a forward thinking and a unique design aesthetic. According to the co-founders, the IGC FASHION tends to look at a garment as a moving breathing piece of sculpture art that can be used as a vehicle for communicating and questioning ideas about culture.
"We are partially interested in using raw materials like bark cloth, raffia, sisal, shells and other neglected fabric items that can be combiner and transformed into a unique garment. As designers, we find it more important to recognize craftsmanship and sustainability and this contribution is something we always seek to incorporate into our work through recycling, sourcing from diverse African cultures, and a zero-waste initiative."
As Kampala's design scene blossoms in the wake of the secondhand clothing ban, events like the Fashion Cypher serve as crucial catalysts – nurturing homegrown talent, driving innovation, and carving out space for Ugandan designers to thrive in their own vibrant market. With its dynamic programming and community-driven spirit, this quarterly series is poised to become a cornerstone of East Africa's fashion renaissance.
