One of Uganda’s most creative fashionista’s, Emolsa Haasacha most commonly known as Emolsa is not a new face to the fashion scene, even being based in the Fashion Capital of the world – New York. After show-stopping at events like Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards as well as Blankets and Wine, the self proclaimed “Fashion Slave” started a modeling agency along with Sam Isingoma, aptly dubbed EMOL’SAM DNA, which would help other models to get a chance to be discovered and mentored into world class models.
He himself is a model and creative director in his own right, and we reached out to have a chat with him and find out what makes him tick.
You’re authentic in your approach to everything you set out to do. Why is authenticity important to you?
In an industry littered with creatives everywhere, some who might even be better than me, I always strived at being different. And as such, I was rather of true origin, despite absorbing a few inspirations here and there. It was vital that I made authenticity the core foundation of my artistry in order to stand out.
What was your childhood like? Were there any sparks of creativity within you then?
Think of my childhood as a kid who was almost born with a silver spoon into a 90’s well off blissful family, with a fashionable, flashy and Marie Antoinette-like mom. I attended some of the countries best schools then, I almost had it all… My life, however, turned around when bankruptcy came knocking on our door and we hit rock bottom. I had to adjust to the new lifestyle reset and as such, enrolled into schools where I was constantly bullied, it took me a-few years to get accustomed to but when I did, I broke boundaries, confronted my adversaries and turned into a a fearless renegade and bold person that is Emolsa today. I have been independent since the age of 15.
Are there people that influenced you? And why?
I doubled as a smart kid and my dad’s favourite, which made me prone to a lot of abuse, hate, bullying and a certain level of academic excellence expectations, especially from my step moms and siblings. I was always under pressure to prove a point to my bullies home and away, which I later found somewhat helpful in grooming and preparing me for the tough world out there. It propelled me to certain heights and have since outgrown bullies. In the recent years, I am more influenced by critics and naysayers. I tend to feel very uncomfortable in comfortable times and hence, I have my childhood bullies and adulthood critics to thank for their motivation towards my growth. I am such a sucker for criticism.
What has been your experience moving to New York from Kampala? And what is it about here that you miss most?
It’s been a bumpy ride as you’d expect, because inadvertently settling into a big shark of a city like New York with zero connections takes guts. It’s a new beginning and starting from scratch is no easy feat. My major experience is; the world out here is very humble and indeed it will humble anyone. I am learning and unlearning certain things and adopting to a whole new normalcy. I am glad to say starting all over again has been the most humbling experience of my life altogether.
What are you up to? What are you working on? What are you doing there?
Apart from a few highlights on my social media, I have always lived and loved a private life. Unlike pre-pandemic where I’d be excited to share my tomorrow, in this new world, anything can change anytime. We are in a new era and are almost approaching post-pandemic. I am in pursuit of some major moves and I am rather excited to surprise you and myself when the timing is right.
The past many weeks have been tough. What has been your experience been like?
I believe all of humanity has had a very troubling past many weeks and I am so thankful that you and I have survived until this minute. Up until the pandemic, I had been working on major projects that were all cancelled because the fashion industry, like elsewhere, was brought to its knees rendering me and millions of others jobless. I was diagnosed with Covid -19 three times and I barely thought I’d survive the first time when New York was the epicentre of the pandemic and thousands were dying by every passing second. I had to contact my pastor Samuel Kakande and we constantly prayed to survive.
When the tragedy swept through my homeland Uganda, I was profusely worried for my countrymen and family, which prompted me to reach out with as little financial support as I could to a few families and random individuals in my inbox.
How has it impacted your creativity?
I am quite introverted so the quarantine didn’t have a bad effect on me because that’s the life I have been living for a longtime. Nevertheless , I was creatively drained, my creativity fountain wasn’t flowing at all and I was left feeling like an empty body without a soul. I felt like I was becoming a tad dumb and less intelligent.
It’s pretty hard being Emolsa. Take me through your ordinary day?
My day is quite simple and easy. At 3 am, I wake up for a 30 minute prayer everyday, talking to God about my present and future. Followed by checking my emails, texts and sometimes responding to social media messages. Occasionally, I might go back to bed for an hour. Afterwards, I dedicate another hour every day to study for my school. At 7am, I am always making and having breakfast as I watch the news. I work a 9-5 job so I listen to my favourite podcasts or an audiobook on my commute and have my lunch while I make needed phone calls in between my work breaks.
Then go to school at 6-8pm alternating virtual and in-person classes four days a week . On weekends I don’t have class, so I saved them for other appointments such as doctor’s, business, partnerships, creativity projects and whatnot. I normally spend weekends at the fashion studio, a park or a getaway. Regardless I have a self imposed rule that I must always be home by 10pm. A cup of medicinal tea or salad before jumping into the shower always helps to relieve a day’s stress. The last thing I do is check my social media before I dive into my bed with white noise(rainfall sounds or ocean waves) in the background.
What inspires you?
I rotate my inspiration around all sorts of feelings but mostly sadness. I love sad, boring and depressing music deep in the night in a dimly lit environment because it evokes my emotions and ability to be more creative.
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