It’s another hot weekday afternoon in dusty Kampala – I have a business lunch with a client so I decide to take her to Cayenne restaurant and lounge. I like the poolside for lunch and the service is great because the manager Simona does a great job of training all the staff herself! Simona is also a very good friend and the main reason a lot of people frequent Cayenne- she is extremely pleasant and yet very direct and matter of fact about her professionalism.
She is wearing heels I would kill for ( Must have been Aldo!) a well fitted pencil skirt and tucked into it a pristine white shirt complete with a beautiful watch that is very masculine oddly complimenting the very feminine look- without a hair out of place belying her hectic schedule – Simona is one of the most stylish people I have met – so here I shoot her 10 quick questions!
WHAT DOES FASHION MEAN TO YOU?
Fashion to me is something beyond buying trendy clothes, it’s all about self-definition, quality and confidence all together. This mish mash ends up in what is my style and what I like about fashion is that is always changing, just as we are. What I normally do is to take inspiration from the different trends and adapt them to show how I feel and who I am.
WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE A GREAT SCENT OR FOUNDATION?
Definitely a great scent and choosing the right one is essential. It’s like wearing great underwear, nobody sees it but they all notice. In my opinion what you smell is completing the look you want to give as you involve many senses.
ON A SATURDAY NIGHT… JEANS AND HEELS OR A SEXY DRESS?
Jeans and heels with a sexy top….the best of the two words!
SINCE YOU CAME TO UGANDA WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE ONE COMMON FASHION MISTAKE UGANDAN LADIES MAKE?
First of all I have to say that Ugandan ladies really like to be feminine and sexy and that’s great, what I personally don’t like is that they tend to show too much skin maybe thinking that the more they show the more they’ll get appreciated.
Being sexy is a matter of “propagating”a self confident feeling, how can you feel sexy and confident when you are wearing such a mini dress forcing you to pull it down your thighs every step you take?
Something else I don’t like is when I see a sexy dress with flip flops, come on, heels are a blessing not for every single minute of our life but they really make your legs look longer, your bum smaller and give you a sensual walk..
WHAT ARE THE THINGS YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT IN YOUR HANDBAG?
Well if we are talking about an evening bag i just need my telephone and lip gloss to refresh my lips after a drink that someone else would buy me!!
My day bag is more like a luggage bag! I have a mini world in there from make up, laptop, my sons toys to painkillers…name it and I have it in my bag.
DO YOU HAVE ANY RULES WHEN IT COMES TO ACCESSORIES?
My only rule is to have them and use them. Accessories can really make the difference on an outfit. The right choice can transform a boring dress into something special.
WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE BEAUTY SECRET
I’m afraid i don’t have any except from water. I try and drink a lot of it to purify my body so that also the skin looks better and i just adore to take showers as then i really feel fresh and clean.
WHAT WAS YOUR LAST PURCHASE?
A pair of sun glasses from Chanel, quite expensive but it was definitely worth it as they will never be out of date and the quality is excellent. This is what i try to do with all my purchases anyway, A few nice pieces instead of tons of junk stuff.
FAVORITE CITY TO SHOP?
The one I come from: Milan
ANY SECRET ON HOW YOU MAINTAIN SUCH A GREAT FIGURE?
A bit of exercise three times a week and i try not to overdo it with food and drinks as simple as that.
Fasean 