APiF: Please introduce your business and your designs.
GloRia Wava Munno: The mission of my label is to fuse the diverse and vibrant world of African culture, texture, fabric and print with the creation of timeless and inventive, eccentric fashion pieces.
APiF: When and why did you start designing with African Prints and Fabrics?
GloRia: I’ve just had this weird fascination for African prints and fabrics from quite an early age that I didn’t understand then. I found the fabric to be just so different. Now, being older, I realize that I connect with anything different and it speaks to me. So of course, the fabrics triggered me to think “how would I want to wear that?” and the process began.
APiF: How do u feel about the new African Prints/Fabric trend?
Gloria: Well, it is nice that African prints are being acknowledged, and it is interesting to see what other people are doing with it globally.
APiF: Is African Print in the fashion industry here to stay?
GloRia: I believe so, even though I understand if it’s seen as a trend right now. Due to the heavy visual effects, prints are harder to be defined as classic, and everyone knows ‘classic’ stays in trend. But I think there is so much to the fabric that has yet to be understood and seen. Even now, I am still working my way through it. Maybe that’s why I love African fabrics. The prints are challenging me to figure out all possibilities. So, one might find them ‘classic’.
APiF: What inspires u?
GloRia: I am intrigued by many things; from people, art to music. These are probably my top 3 inspirations. But I am inspired by things everywhere. I like learning and finding beauty in all its many places, and through that I find my inspiration. What touches me then provokes me.
APiF: Fashion Finds: What is your favorite piece in your closet or of your collection and why?
GloRia: It is probably my sunglasses and specs collection. I have all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors. I have been finding them in all the big and small places I have been lucky enough to travel to. Regarding my latest collection, entitled Mensch/Unmensch, I’m loving the rough leather vest jacket and the suede brown chain dress.
APiF: How do you market your designs and how do you make them accessible to a global audience? GloRia: At the moment I have a boutique in Kampala, Uganda. I also do a lot of online activity from my facebook business page GloRia WavaMunno, twitter account @GloRiaWavaMunno and my website, http://www.gloriawavamunno.com/. And I’m working on an online store that should be up by the end of this year. Before that, I was taking personal orders via email. But now that I’m expanding, the online store will be my access to the world!
APiF: Any tips for new designers in the fashion industry?
GloRia: It is a challenging business, because it moves so fast and now it has taken on another level of speed due to social media. But I am a big believer in passion, and that it will get you through the difficult times. If you believe in your art, learn and push yourself, people will notice that and support will come where it is needed. The world is very global now. Also, patience is not a bad thing.
Find out more:
http://www.gloriawavamunno.com/
http://twitter.com/#%21/GloRiaWavaMunno
https://www.facebook.com/pages/GloRia-WavaMunno/351531069599