By Reporter
Allen AsIimwe is fashion designer and tailor behind cultural clothes customized for client’s satisfaction. She makes bags, shoes in all materials both Western and African and makes traditional, bridal, party wear, casual wear and uniforms for both sexes. She will be celebrating ten years in this business on the 20th of this month at Charm towers. We spoke to her about her fashion journey.
What is the name of your business?
Alyn Rosy. I like being formal and I didn’t want my business to be attributed to my tribe. I twisted my Allen name to Alyn, and added Rosy, which means something optimistic or promising.
Why this business for starters?
I am a software engineer by profession but decided to divert from that field because of my love for style. My late mum was also a tailor and when she passed on, I got so interested in design, and the other reason is that I wanted to be my own boss.
Did you learn all this from your late mother?
I learnt the basics from my late mother who was also a tailor, but I upgraded my skills and knowledge from Nilayi University in Malaysia.
Where do you buy your materials from?
I buy bulk materials from Tanzania, at a place called Bunagana situated on the Congo border, but if they are in small quantities, I get them from downtown.
How long would it take you to design an outfit, tailor it and make it ready for a client?
If I’m not busy, I can even make it in one day but I usually give my clients up to a week to pick up their clothes. I hate working under pressure, so I give myself time to enable my clients to get maximum satisfaction.