Bold Fashion Week turns Kampala into showcase for African creativity

Kampala’s fashion scene took centre stage at the inaugural Bold Fashion Week, which brought African designers, creatives and fashion lovers together for two days of runway shows, networking and business.

The event opened at Motiv in Bugolobi on Friday, August 21, 2026, with collections from 10 designers. The line-up mixed established Ugandan brands, emerging labels and talent from elsewhere on the continent.

Ugandan designers Axarya, Discreet Street x Local, Good Fibre, Joan Jade, Kifahari, Kwesh, Lamara, Ofumbi and Shurea Yasmin showcased their work alongside Nigerian designer Yemi Shoyemi.

The runway reflected the changing face of African fashion. Models displayed collections ranging from bold prints and flowing outfits to contemporary pieces that blended African influences with modern styles.

The audience also became part of the spectacle. Guests turned up in statement outfits, prints and African-inspired designs, while music accompanied the runway experience.

Johnnie Walker partnered with Bold in Africa and Malembe Lifestyle to stage the first edition. The brand welcomed guests with cocktails and created spaces for designers, creatives and fashion enthusiasts to interact.

The partnership falls under Johnnie Walker’s Afro Exchange platform, which connects African creatives working in fashion, music and art. The initiative seeks to encourage collaboration and help creative talent reach audiences beyond national borders.

Christine Kyokunda, the Johnnie Walker East Africa brand manager, said the fashion week fitted the platform’s goal of connecting African talent.

“Afro Exchange is about creating spaces where African creativity can meet, move and inspire one another. Bold Fashion Week brings that vision to life by creating a platform where designers can showcase their work, connect with audiences and exchange ideas across the continent,” Kyokunda said.

The organisers also used the event to tackle the business side of fashion. Designers took part in mentorship sessions and discussions on branding, business development, design and access to markets.

The programme ended on Saturday, August 22, 2026, with a retail marketplace organised with the Kampala Artisan Market. The marketplace allowed visitors to buy pieces directly from participating designers.

The inaugural edition positioned Bold Fashion Week as more than a runway event. It sought to create a meeting point where African designers could display their work, build networks and explore ways of turning creativity into sustainable businesses.