Fatumah Asha
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Fatumah Asha | |
|---|---|
| Born | Fatumah Asha Uganda |
| Education | Makerere University |
| Alma mater | Makerere University |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Employer | Fatumahasha |
| Organization | Tesi Fashion School |
| Known for | Bridal wear and bespoke gowns |
| Title | Founder and creative director |
Fatumah Asha is a Ugandan fashion designer known for her bespoke, elegant creations, especially bridal wear and gowns. She is the founder of the Fatumahasha brand and the proprietor of the Tesi Fashion School,[1] where she also mentors aspiring designers.
Fatumah Asha has received several significant awards and recognition for her contributions to the fashion industry in Uganda and East Africa which include;
- Designer of the Year (Uganda): Awarded at the prestigious Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards (ASFAs) in 2018.[2]
- Best Designer: Received this honor at the Uganda Entertainment Awards in 2017.[3]
- Designer of the Year: Won at the Pearl of Africa Fashion Awards in 2018.
Beyond specific awards, her work has been showcased on international catwalks in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and the United States, gaining recognition across the African diaspora. Her designs are frequently worn by celebrities and public figures on red carpets and at major events in Kampala, solidifying her status as a top designer in the region.
Education
In 2009, she initially enrolled at a university to study human resource management to meet her parents' expectations for a "white collar job".[4]
Driven by her strong passion for design, she later switched courses and successfully earned a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Fine Art, with a specialization in fashion and design, from Makerere University. This career change meant she had to pay her own tuition fees, which she managed by working various gigs, including a stint with Britannia.[4][5]
Career
Asha started her business, the Fatumahasha brand, professionally in 2009, initially working from her university hall. The initial challenges were significant, but she built her brand through networking and leveraging social media. She specialized in custom-made bridalwear and elegant gowns, which quickly became popular in Kampala's fashion scene and a fixture at weddings and red-carpet events.
After establishing her own successful brand, she founded the Tesi Fashion School in 2019 to provide short courses and mentorship in fashion and design to aspiring local designers.[6]
