UGANDA
SANTA ANZO
Santa Anzo — Designer, Creative Director & Fashion Entrepreneur
Santa Anzo is a pioneering Ugandan fashion designer, creative director, and entrepreneur whose work has played a defining role in shaping contemporary fashion in East Africa. Known for her distinctive Afro-fusion aesthetic, Santa Anzo blends bold color palettes, expressive silhouettes, and modern tailoring with cultural influences rooted in African heritage. Her designs celebrate identity, creativity, and confidence, positioning fashion as a powerful form of cultural expression.
She is the founder and creative force behind Arapapa Fashion House, a Kampala-based fashion brand recognized for its contemporary interpretation of African style. Through Arapapa, Santa Anzo has developed a strong design language that merges tradition with modernity, creating collections that resonate both locally and internationally. Her work reflects a commitment to craftsmanship, originality, and storytelling through clothing.
Beyond her work as a designer, Santa Anzo is also the founder of Uganda International Fashion Week, one of the most influential fashion platforms in East Africa. Established to provide visibility and opportunities for African designers, models, and creatives, the platform has become a catalyst for industry growth, cross-cultural exchange, and professional development within the regional fashion ecosystem. Through this initiative, she has mentored emerging talent and helped position Ugandan fashion within broader global conversations.
With a career spanning more than two decades, Santa Anzo has consistently championed African creativity on international stages. Her contributions extend beyond runway collections to include advocacy for the creative industries, mentorship of young designers, and the development of platforms that support sustainable growth within the fashion sector. She is widely respected for her leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and commitment to empowering creative communities.
Santa Anzo’s work reflects a deep belief in fashion as a tool for storytelling, identity, and cultural preservation. By bridging heritage with contemporary design, she continues to shape new narratives for African fashion—presenting a confident, modern voice that honors tradition while embracing innovation.
