A gift of an idea

Sawe said it all started out as something fun to do. Her childhood friend was pregnant and was expecting her baby soon. Part of tradition among many young women in Uganda is to hold a “baby shower” for expectant moms.

On such occasions, each friend donates a gift for the baby. Gifts typically include baby powder, baby soap, towels, shoes and so on.

However the talented Sawe gave her friend a gift she had made herself on the family sewing machine.

“I looked for an African inspired gift [and couldn’t find one, so] I personally made booties, bibs and a dress. All the guests, especially parents and those expecting to become parents, were mesmerized by my gifts,” she said.

It wasn’t long before she was getting orders for similar children’s wear from friends who had seen her designs. “After making kids wear for some of those who had placed orders, I realized that I could survive on making these outfits,” she said. University in Uganda, where she learnt valuable tailoring and design skills. After graduating in early 2013 she had a stint as a painter, tour operator and manager of a cosmetics company. It was events that followed on from the “baby shower” in November 2015 that led to her abandoning being employed and instead becoming an employer.

“In January 2016, I started making kids wear at home [fulltime]. When the number of orders increased, I employed a tailor to help me.”

After two months she was overwhelmed by orders and not only rented a place to operate from, but also employed more people. Currently she has six tailors on her payroll, producing the label’s dresses, shirts, hats, trousers, bibs and booties, and while she likes to keep her hand in as far as tailoring is concerned, Sawe now spends more time on marketing and quality control.

Marketing is made easier because of the brightcolored Kitengi fabric. Sawe said kids are more attracted to bright colors than dull colors.

“I carried out a study and learnt about the power and psychology of color on kids, especially when it comes to garments,” she said.

The garments are clearly attractive to children. Stella Acire, a mom in her 20s in Kampala, told Chinafrica both she and her four-year-old daughter loved the color and design.

“I walked into a shop with my daughter and requested her to pick a dress she liked most. She picked the [Sawe Baby Wear] one she is now wearing. When she tried it on, she looked great so I bought it for her,” said Acire.

The label has a range for boys as well and caters for newly-borns to six-year-olds. Sawe said that apart from