After a Two Year Mentorship With Fatumah Asha, This Budding Designer is Set to Exhibit at The UNAA Causes Convention

Meet Mulindwa Martin Carlos, a 32-year-old budding designer whose work is about to take Uganda’s fashion scene. Starting as a fashion collector, he landed a two-year mentorship with renowned designer Fatumah Asha which he completed successfully. He’s now set to exhibit his work at the UNAA Causes Convention in Washington DC next month, a spot he landed by invitation from the team.

How did you land the two-year mentorship with Fatumah Asha? 

I met Fatumah when I was a fashion collector, I used to sell her clothes. It is then that that I reached out to her for an opportunity to polish my design skills. I’ve always had a passion for design, menswear to be exact. She offered me the opportunity, and the rest has been history.

How has working with her helped you shape the designer you are now?

Working with her has helped me harness my unlimited potential as a designer. For example, she helped me appreciate the female body and dressing it. Commercially, it is womenswear that works especially here in Uganda. So, it was important for me to be able to do it. In the end it has helped me become a better designer and businessman altogether.

How and when did you get interested in fashion and design? 

I got interested in fashion at a very young age. I remember how I would admire my mother’s sense of style, seeing how clothes made her look and feel always inspired me. I’ve always wanted to contribute to that, and make many people feel good about themselves.

Why menswear? 

I believe I understand the the male body very well, I’ve been choosing clothes for men to wear almost all my life. But, as per the market demands expect me to offer womenswear as well. As a designer you need to be innovative, besides women spend on fashion more than men.

What is the inspiration behind your designs? 

My offering is a mix of cultures that’s why you see lots of prints. I also would like my client to stand out, so prints are a no brainer. My brand name is Carlistah Fashion.

How did you land a spot at the UNAA convention? 

It’s interesting how I landed that spot. One of my clients recommended my work to the team who reached out to Fatumah Asha for a review. They were amazed by what I do and immediately offered me an invitation to show at this year’s event. It’s like a dream come true for me. The event is slated to hold next month.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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