Skateboarding has emerged within the African country of Uganda and has become the luxury good of many young Ugandans. Fearless and full of adventure, the boys and girls of Uganda are making a difference by using skateboarding as an activity to educate themselves on the outside world and also to influence the cosmopolitan fashion industry. Ugandan skateboarding being a big inspiration behind ASM's AfroStreet’s photo spread, is clearly a new luxury good that has also made an impression on some of the well known designers as seen in Spring/Summer 2011 Urban Fashion Trends. From Galliano’s laid-back looks to Betsy Johnson's easy-going street styles, Ugandan skateboarders have become the contemporary “New Kids On The Block” as their styles, colors and looks has influenced some designers. They were also represented on the runways during fashion week.
At Galliano, the life of young skateboarders with a chill attitude and a concept of escape was well defined on the all rough and rugged clothing. Also seen was a little mixture of his signature couture looks with a touch of colors such as gray and pink spotted on both male and female wears. These looks were also a strong reflection of Ugandan skateboarders’ styles; and for this, many would ask if Galliano’s out of his element.
At Betsy Johnson's fashion show, skateboarding was all fun and more fun for this fashion designer knows how to keep the interest of her followers with the many exciting activities on her runway. As seen in the Ugandan Skateboarding video, it is clear that having fun is a big part of skating and Miss Betsy shows that during her fashion show in New York from the street elements to spandex body revealing wears. The models were high in heels with exaggerated skateboard elements to top it up. The clothes were extremely summer like but most also had a representation of gray as if she was sending a message to the Ugandan young and bold new skateboarders. As if her message was not clear enough, Betsy had all her girls wearing a bold piece of necklace with the phrase “Ride Me." For Spring/Summer 2011, skateboarding is blooming and one can only say that Uganda, an underdeveloped country of Africa has found a way to stay in touch with well developed countries but more importantly create a positive lifestyle that brings tenacity and an exciting urban chic style to follow.
Fatiim Bangoura