Diary of a Broke Kampala Fashionista – Part 9

Kampala born Kirabo has a knack for fashion, and in another life she was born in New York City. She dreams of going there, but is too broke to even live on her own. She lives with her elder sister Mutesi, who treats her like a child because she spends and acts like one. The weekly struggles are all (unintentionally) fashion related. She narrates her story of trying to realize her dreams while sliding in tips of how she gets by looking like a million bucks on a very slim wallet. She interns at a law firm in Kampala.

See part 1 here, part 2 here, part 3 here , part 4 here, part 5, part 6 here, part 7 here and part 8 here

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It has been a few weeks since the festival. I had to take some time off to recuperate, whew it was a lot! Well in the meantime, my cousin is getting married and I have been helping out in any way I can. They (naturally) posted me in charge of decor for the event, so I have been working with the decorator to make sure the theme comes out perfectly. She is going with a champagne gold colour theme, and wants it to look a little vintage fabulous.

I like people who think like that – making a person use their creative energy to the fullest- not these “I want blue and white colours with flowers” enhee? That’s it? Anyway, the biggest reason I’m excited about this wedding (despite the fact that our dear cousin has got herself a sexy Frenchman to marry, bonjour) is because I get to buy a new pair of shoes! Maybe two!

Ahhhhh! I need to call my shoe guy, Hajj, he has this store downtown. A buddy intimated to me that the guy supplies one of those popular Kirshna Mart boutiques. That means I’m getting shoes at the legit wholesale price while some sistaz will get them at 5X the original price. Not my problem!

So in mind, I’m going to wear a peach dress, it blends in with the theme without me looking like a bridesmaid. I was thinking, maybe some navy blue stilettos and gold strappy sandals as option two. This wedding for some reason has Mutesi’s wallet lubricated so she gives me money without too much hassle. I should make the most of it – I wanted a new Nouba lipstick… I think I’ll hit up that girl I saw on Instagram selling them.

Heading downtown through the hustle and bustle has always been one of my favourite things. You never know what treasures you can uncover while on such missions! I sometimes have to put an invisible adulating leash on my subconscious when I see a bag I like. Reminding myself that I don’t have money for it usually helps. Well, I eventually reached Hajji’s shoe store and as usual, I wasn’t disappointed.

My eyes scanned all the freshest looks I had seen everywhere and I was looking for a new and different look that was yet to be popular. I know, call me a trendsetter. I tried on like 4 completely random pairs of shoes that weren’t even the style or colour that I wanted it’s just that… shoes!!

I finally got to the point where I told him the kind of shoe I was looking for; strappy stiletto heel in either navy blue or gold, and he went on the search. I wanted a pair of shoes that would not remain exclusive to the wedding or other formal occasions, something I could wear interchangeably for the rest of the year. This means, no big embellishments, no crazy designs, just authentic elegance.

There’s a ka feeling I get when I find the perfect shoe – it’s like sipping Rwenzori Premium water; you know it’s the one, but you can’t describe why you know. It just is. I managed to make a bargain and went away with two pairs of shoes; one matte navy stiletto heel by New Look, and some gold pointy-toed almost-Christian Louboutins, with the red bottom (wink wink) at the giveaway price of 100k! Aren’t I so lucky?

The magical afternoon came and I am not exaggerating when I say that it was magical. When we reached the reception after a tear jerking wedding ceremony my breath was legit taken away. This chick had champagne coloured roses and centerpieces, there was a small orchestra playing violins and keyboard, and the air smelt like vanilla. We had a bottle of wine assigned to each table and let’s just say I rewarded myself for a job well done quite heftily. The newlyweds slow danced to a rendition of Beyonce’s “XO” (apparently they met at a friend’s birthday party and that song was playing, so now it was “their song”, love stories these days, right?)

While they danced, I couldn’t help but let my mind wander… I couldn’t help thinking about that eye candy I saw at work weeks ago, and the way he smiled at me during that first conversation we had. I don’t know if it was the wine that was going to my head, but I think I saw him in the corner of my eye…

Look out for part 10

Cover photo by William Stitt on Unsplash

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