Satisfashion UG Editor’s Experience at Forking Around Kampala’s Content Creator’s Event

One random boring afternoon, while spending my precious time playing some interior decor game, my phone lit up with a phone call from Lucy Smize. It was an invitation to the content creators brunch event.

Once she mentioned the theme was African print, somewhere inside my brain that has stored every outfit combo I know in mind started to race… I’m more likely to be seen in black than any other color, and all my prints were reserved for head wraps. A nice fun pop of color for when the black was too much. But considering the event I was going to, including one of the guest speakers being a South African fashion designer (who specializes in wax prints), I knew I had to do something a little extra.

I got a tailor to make me a long kimono and a simple pair of shorts to match… I used up the entire 6 yards of fabric doing that – 1000% worth it.

But enough about the frantic prepping. Let’s get down to the actual experience, shall we?

As I arrived at Latitude 0, I was greeted at the gate with a list, which I verified my attendance and entered. While they were looking for my name, I scanned the other names on the list, including creators like Patsy Mugabi, Gloria Haguma and Cate Ayellah, people whose work I admired and was eager to speak with.

Over the vast Instagram-ready hotel spaces, I was ushered up to the main event. I was a little late, some would say fashionably so, and everything was underway. Hugs and kisses and selfies were flying everywhere, with Latitude staff intermingled, serving cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people already at the venue, so I stepped out onto the balcony for starters, situating next to a girl who was alone. I started chatting with her and found out she was a beauty creator, and we got into what that was like. Turns out the crowd had been too much for her too, but at least we got to talking and she loosened up a lot more. It’s interesting how introverts are most likely to be your favorite YouTuber or blogger, it’s just the extroverts who are good at growing their network.

I watched the crowd for a while, and it consisted of different kinds of creators. I saw photographers, business owners, bloggers, socialites, tv and radio personalities, and writers – whatever category there was in the online creative space, there were at least two people there to represent them.

The view in front of me from the balcony was a captivating backdrop to the soirée, the sprawling valley and lake at the far end of the horizon gave the air of the sky being the limit. Philosopher Fredrick Nietzsche said, “Never trust the thoughts you have in a small space” meaning if you want to dream big, don’t do it in your tiny living space… do it where the horizons around you seem boundless. Your ideas should end up matching the environment and will find the space to be held; which is why some of my best ideas come while on a long walk or a solo swimming session. The space we were networking in made me think of that exactly.

At some point the MC, Estella* came through handing out coupons for a raffle draw that was to happen throughout the night. I said to Anne, my new buddy, “Green is my lucky colour” and picked one from that pile. I was to prove this random passing comment true in a few hours.

As the strong curated cocktails continued to flow, I saw the fabulous fashion writer Gloria Haguma come through, and our small table grew in glam. We spent the next half hour taking content for her IG reels and just catching up.

Soon the presentations were to start, with Mrs. Matovu kicking it off talking about her content creation journey and finding her niche in a way that felt organic for her. Then Rebecca Nanjego gave a comprehensive talk on pitching to clients and “getting the gig”. She shared such valuable info I thought it would be beneficial for many other creatives who hadn’t attended. Class was in session. We also heard from several companies, like Uganda Airlines and Saladin, as they talked about how they incorporate content creators into the larger vision of their brand strategy and marketing plan. Lucy was intentional about not only having content creator’s network and get to know each other but also including businesses and corporations so that they could meet the creatives. Some shot their shots, others exchanged contacts to open conversation later. It was a space full of opportunity, anyone who didn’t take it missed out.

I met some people that I’d always wanted to, catching up with the ethereal Juan Nsibiye, the
industrious Patsy Mugabi and family blogger Lisa Kisiima. I met the brains behind Hers Ug, and Strat Bridals’ Nkwanzi, both of whom had catalogues that I would love to get my hands on, as an image curator. And this is just the tip of the iceberg to who was there that I got to have a conversation with.
 
The night reached a peak when Gracia took to the mic and spoke about her journey as a fashion designer, watching the industry grow with the help of content creators. A photo of Mihlali in one of her designs went viral on the internet – leading to growth of her business but also the aesthetic in general. Mihlali also spoke, taking us on a journey of her career, tricks she used in order to be taken seriously (like creating an email for her “assistant” who was really just her) as well as collaborating with so many other creatives. There was a lot to gleam from the ladies.

Remember the ruffle draw I talked about earlier? Well there were amazing gifts up for grabs, and while the most enviable prize of a round trip ticket to Dubai was already snagged, I won myself free studio space from Woka Studios and I was oddly happier about that than anything else! For me that marked the end of the night, I took my congratulatory bouquet and ran off into the crisp night.

At the end of the day, it isn’t about the fancy space, cocktails and prizes to be won – the heart of the matter is that for the creative space in Uganda, we grow faster together than alone. It’s a good idea for each one to share what they do, get together with people who are similar to them, and share what they know – implementing what the other person knows. We live in a country where internet rates are still too steep, and sites like Facebook still under lock, we must rise above all limitations to do what we want to do. Whether it’s makeup tutorials or cooking, talking with your friend or making pranks. Whatever you do, share it wherever you can, and reach out to the people you would typically view as your “competition”.

You grow faster together than alone. So reach out.

atwiine@satisfashionug.com

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