Since 2010, the Thai Tourist Assistance Foundation, in collaboration with members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Bangkok, has organised the Celebration of Silk project to exhibit traditional and modern Thai silk and design. The celebrations were preceded by the hosting of the 2nd International Thai Silk Fashion Week, recognized as the biggest fashion event in Bangkok, Thailand, it run from 18-22 November, a total of five days, five shows per day with more than 70 international and top Thai designers.
Uganda’s Santa Anzo and 78 international designers and title holders for Miss Universe and Miss World pageants visited the Queen Sirikit Royal museum to view her projects.
Multi-award winning Ugandan International Fashion Designer and founder of Uganda International Fashion Week, Santa Anzo used the Queen’s exquisite fabric to create beautiful pieces that epitomize her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s vision, in a collection she named ‘UBUNTU’.
ARAPAPA by Santa Anzo was selected, given Santa’s outstanding performance in career, business and leadership as a role model to youth and women.
“Our prime aim is to promote cross-cultural exchange between Thailand and participating countries through Silk diplomacy,” Edward explained. The design concept this year is “The Land of Smiles”.
Arapapa by Santa Anzo provided a 1 minute video that showcased Uganda’s tourism potential through fashion tourism. It featured the unique flora and fauna of Uganda epitomized by the source of the Nile and the silver back gorillas, which kept her audience awed by the beauty of Uganda.
Santa Anzo’s afro-thai creation UBUNTU is a fusion of the famed Ugandan traditional dress the Busuuti & the Thai Traditional dress the chut thai. Ubuntu is a true celebration of the African spirit of Compassion and Humanity, “I am because we are”, said Santa Anzo.
In her speech, Santa emphasized that fashion has the capacity to lead the industrialization of Uganda and Africa at large as it is the second biggest employer of women and youth in Sub Saharan Africa. Fashion is trade through garment production and sales and as well tourism as fashion drives the necessary media buzz. Here are the looks she pulled off:
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