Photo by Abiodun Olanrewaju
Kamondi Couture is a London based luxury brand designer label of women’s suits and shirts. This new line is the creation of Ugandan born friends Emma Mohamed and Sonia Ygo. Kamondi Couture is a wonderful spin on women’s suits with a very androgynous menswear inspired Bespoke twist. Their Fall collection features pin-stripe, flowered and sheer fabrics and is an interesting and visionary approach to women’s clothing. I had a chance to ask them some questions about their line and the future of Kamondi Couture.
The two of you have taken the beautiful color and pattern elements of African fabrics in your ready-to-wear and integrated them with the western ideals of fashion. How does Uganda inspire you when you design?
Photo by Abiodun Olanrewaju
Our first collection was inspired by men’s tailoring so we did not have any influences from Uganda. But in the future we are sure that we will look to Uganda for some inspiration.
Where did you two meet and how did you decide to design as a team?
We have been very good friends for many years and we are also related as in-laws.
Taking on the idea of creating a successful fashion line is a very big deal. What gave you the inspiration, motivation and the belief in yourselves?
Photo by John Marxis
We believed that there was a gap in the market to offer tailoring infused with vibrant, unique prints whether African or Western. We often wear our own shirts and always receive nice comments from people asking us where we got that shirt. That alone was biggest motivation to start the line and still is. We meet a lot of people interested in a few pieces from the current line.
Why an androgynous take on women‘s wear?
The frustration of not being able to find well tailored and fashionable suits or shirts for women as you do for gentlemen. The idea was to take a gentleman’s look and altering it into a ‘gentlewoman’s’ look. The idea behind Kamondi is allow any woman to achieve a softer androgynous look with any our pieces.
Name one designer, artist and musician that inspire your work.
We are both inspired by David Beckham. In fact, we both watched him being interview on the Jonathan Ross show. He was wearing this sharp grey suit with red socks. We both thought imagine that look but on a woman. Watching that show gave us the inspiration for this collection. To basically take the traditions of men’s tailoring and refine them for the feminine silhouette.
Photo by John Marxis
How many collections have you done?
We did a capsule Spring/Summer 2011 collection, which followed our Autumn/Winter Collection
Is the androgynous point of view a permanent vision for your brand and label for the foreseeable future or a trend until the next idea comes along?
Kamondi Couture is about suits and shirts so that is what we will always be about. We plan to evolve our line every season with different concept, but still offering suits and shirts. We do also offer dresses and other pieces within our line too.
Photo by John Marxis
Where can people buy your fabulous collection and will it be available in the U.S. or by internet soon?
We are working on making our collection available to buy on our website so please do visit our website from time to time for updates.
What’s in store for you spring/summer collection?
It wouldn’t be a surprise if were to tell but we are working on the next collection and hope everyone will love it just as much as they have like the first one.
PREPPY BABA 