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janboelo

For those who dare: Unique designs, bold stories and authentic journeys...

Some designs take time. And that’s exactly how i

Some designs take time. And that’s exactly how it should be.

Right now, I’m in the middle of creating a new jacket for the upcoming JANBOELO collection—a piece built on slow fashion, craftsmanship, and fabric manipulation. Every fold, every stitch, every texture is shaped by hand, evolving layer by layer.

At this stage, there’s not much to show yet—because true craftsmanship isn’t rushed. The fabric itself is still being transformed, a process that demands patience, precision, and dedication. But that’s the beauty of it. This is where creativity lives, in the long hours of shaping something unique.

Swipe through for a first glimpse. This is only the beginning. Stay with me as this piece comes to life, stitch by stitch.

What’s something in your life that was worth taking the time for?

#SlowFashion #JANBOELO #ForThoseWhoDare #HandcraftedDesign #FashionInProgress #ArtisanMade #TextileManipulation #LuxuryFashion #Craftsmanship #DesignWithPurpose #TimelessStyle #TheProcessMatters #SustainableFashion

Crispy chapati, fluffy eggs, fresh veggies—all r

Crispy chapati, fluffy eggs, fresh veggies—all rolled into one. The Rolex isn’t just Uganda’s most famous street food, it’s a way of life.

Originally from Jinja, this quick and affordable meal became a favorite among university students in Kampala, and now, you’ll find it everywhere—from the bustling streets of Namalu to roadside stalls all across the country. There’s even a Rolex Festival dedicated to celebrating this local favorite!

For me, no trip to Uganda is complete without a Rolex for lunch. Simple, delicious, and packed with flavor, it’s the perfect meal on the go.

Have you ever tried a Rolex? Would you?

#ugandarolex #streetfooddelights #culinaryheritage #tasteofuganda #foodiefinds #chapatilove #eggomelettewrap #africancuisine #foodculture #traveleats #streetfood #JANBOELO

From Fast Fashion to Slow Craftsmanship: sometimes

From Fast Fashion to Slow Craftsmanship: sometimes, one journey is all it takes to change your perspective.

When I first visited Karamoja in 2018, I saw more than just breathtaking landscapes. I saw resilience, craftsmanship, and the reality of how overconsumption from the Western world impacts local communities. From traditional goat leather tanning to the overwhelming presence of second-hand clothing flooding Kampala’s markets, I realised just how broken the system is. Fashion shouldn’t be disposable—it should tell a story, last a lifetime, and honour the hands that create it.

This experience reshaped JANBOELO, pushing me towards sustainability, storytelling, and craftsmanship. I worked with Ugandan designers like Njola and Xenson, blending local artistry with modern design. Every stitch, every fabric choice became intentional.

Swipe through to see some of the moments that changed my vision forever. And if you want the full story, read the blog, the link is in my bio. Because fashion isn’t just about what we wear. It’s about the impact we leave behind.

#SustainableFashion #JANBOELO #Karamoja #Uganda #ForThoseWhoDare #SlowFashion #EthicalDesign #FashionWithPurpose #CulturalHeritage #HandcraftedDesign #FashionInnovation #StorytellingThroughFashion #EmpoweringCommunities #SustainabilityMatters

Paris isn’t just a city - it’s an experience.

Paris isn’t just a city - it’s an experience.

The past few days have been a whirlwind of inspiration. From standing beneath the Eiffel Tower to admiring the intricate craftsmanship at the Couture Exposition in the Louvre, every corner of Paris tells a story. We wandered through history of golden threads in Fashion at Musée Quai Branly’s Au Fil d’Or, took in the grandeur of Galeries Lafayette, and ended it all with a well-earned dinner at Delaville - one of my favorite spots in the city. This trip with students to Paris is one for the books.

So much walking, so many sights, and even more memories made. Paris, you never disappoint. Until next time.

What’s your favorite Parisian memory?

#ParisThroughOurEyes #ParisFashionTrip #JANBOELO #ForThoseWhoDare #FashionInspiration #ParisianElegance #CoutureExhibition #EiffelTowerView #LouvreMuseum #SacréCœur #ParisianNights #TravelWithPurpose #ParisFashionWeek #FashionEducation #CreativeJourney

Walking through Paris during Fashion Week brings b

Walking through Paris during Fashion Week brings back memories - of late nights, last-minute fittings, and the backstage chaos before the lights hit the runway.

This collection was a tribute to late nights in Paris. The rain-soaked streets reflecting neon lights, the energy of the city as people head out - to a rock concert or to hidden bars where the night is just beginning. Every piece in this show carried that mood: slick, high-shine fabrics, silhouettes ready for the after-hours, a rebellion wrapped in elegance.

Backstage was pure chaos. Last-minute fittings, makeup retouches, the countdown before the first model stepped out. Ten minutes of intensity, adrenaline, and making sure every look hit the runway at the perfect second. Then suddenly, it was over. The rush, the relief, we had lots of fun!

Would I do it all over again? Maybe. But for now, I’ll just walk these streets and let the memories play on loop. What’s one of your favorite fashion moments to look back on?

#ParisFashionWeek #JANBOELO #RunwayMemories #FashionStorytelling #BehindTheScenes #ParisFashionWeek #ThrowbackFashion #ForThoseWhoDare #FashionWeekParis #DesignerLife #ParisVibes #BackstagePass #SlowFashionMovement #TimelessDesign #CreativeJourney

Back to Paris - but this time, with a bus full of

Back to Paris - but this time, with a bus full of students, a packed schedule, and it is Paris Fashion Week, with exhibitions that celebrate the artistry of fashion. From the timeless couture pieces on display at the Louvre to the iconic world of Dolce & Gabbana in the Grand Palais, the city is alive with fashion this week.

But Paris isn’t just something you see - it is something you feel. And for me, that feeling has always been tied to music. The streets of my old neighborhood, the late nights working at Balmain, the energy of a city that never stops inspiring. So I made a playlist: Rêverie Parisienne. A mix of classic French chansons and modern favorites that instantly take me back.

If you want to hear the sound of the city through my ears, the link to the playlist is in my bio. What’s your ultimate song that transports you to a place?

#ParisFashionWeek #RêverieParisienne #JANBOELO #ForThoseWhoDare #CoutureExhibition #FashionMeetsMusic #ParisianElegance #FrenchVibes #GrandPalais #ParisThroughMyEyes #ChicAndTimeless #TravelSoundtrack #FashionHistory

Fashion for me is more than design - it’s the la

Fashion for me is more than design - it’s the language of materials.

I’ve always had a passion for natural, rich textures. The softness of jersey and knits, the raw power of leather, the delicate touch of feathers, the strength of laced hides. A perfect outfit isn’t just about a single fabric - it’s about the way materials meet, contrast, and challenge each other.

For me, the mix of materials is what brings an outfit to life. A rough edge softened by fluid draping. A bold texture meeting effortless movement. Finding the perfect balance between structure and flow, strength and delicacy, is where the magic happens.

Swipe through and see the textures up close. Which combination speaks to you the most?

#MaterialAlchemy #FashionTextures #JANBOELO #ForThoseWhoDare #SlowFashion #HandcraftedDesign #FashionInnovation #SustainableStyle #TextileArtistry #LuxuryMaterials #ArtisticExpression #FashionDetails

Back in 2022, I stood amidst the vibrant community

Back in 2022, I stood amidst the vibrant community of the Masaai Mara in Kenya. We were welcomed into their homes, witnessing daily life and the profound significance behind their attire. The iconic red and blue checkered patterns, known as 'Shúkà', are more than just fabric; they symbolize strength, bravery, and the rich heritage of the Maasai people.

Inspired by this experience, I'm now crafting a dress that embodies the essence of the Masaai Mara. Each stitch is a tribute to the landscapes, the culture, and the stories shared. Did you know that the Maasai adopted the plaid patterns during their interactions with Scottish soldiers and missionaries in the 19th century? This blend of cultures has since become a hallmark of their identity.

Bringing these elements into my design is a way to honor the tradition while creating something contemporary. Stay tuned as this piece comes to life, merging the past with the present.

#MasaaiMara #CulturalHeritage #FashionInspired #JANBOELO #LuymesDrenth #DesignWithStory #PlaidPatterns #AfricanElegance #HandcraftedFashion #TraditionMeetsModern #CulturalNarrative #FashionJourney #InspiredByTravel

The Big 5: one of the most famous terms in the saf

The Big 5: one of the most famous terms in the safari world. But did you know it has nothing to do with size? These five - lion, rhino, leopard, elephant and buffalo - were named by hunters, not for their stature, but for the challenge they posed. They were the most dangerous and difficult animals to track on foot, making them the ultimate prize.

Today, the meaning has changed. The Big 5 are now symbols of conservation, wildlife protection, and the raw beauty of East Africa. I’ve been fortunate to see them all, multiple times, but some moments stay with me forever. Like the lion, so unbothered by us that he rested against our car. Walking on foot with rhinos, feeling the weight of their presence in complete silence. And witnessing the stealth of a leopard on the hunt, so amazing!

Every time I see one of the big 5, I feel humbled and very fortunate to have experienced seeing it again.

#BigFive #WildlifeEducation #SafariExperience #WildlifeEncounters #LearnSomethingNew #AfricanAdventure #IntoTheWild #NaturePhotography #WildlifeConservation #JANBOELO #ForThoseWhoDare #TravelWithPurpose

Before leather becomes a design, it goes through a

Before leather becomes a design, it goes through a transformation - one that takes time, precision, and the hands of skilled artisans.

During my recent visit to a tannery in Jinja, Uganda, I had the opportunity to witness this process firsthand. From tanning and softening to skiving, pressing intricate motifs, and measuring each hide, every step revealed the craftsmanship behind this material. A very nice thing about this tannery is that the leather comes from the meat industry. So instead of throwing away the hides, they get a new purpose.

Seeing leather come to life, shaped with both tradition and expertise, reminded me why I value slow, intentional fashion. The samples I brought back will soon take form in my studio, becoming part of my new collection. Later, this will be showcased on @luymesdrenth. A collection rooted in craft, sustainability, and design with meaning. Because true fashion starts long before the final stitch.

#LeatherCraft #HandmadeFashion #SlowFashionMovement #SustainableDesign #JANBOELO #LuymesDrenth #ForThoseWhoDare #UgandaCraftsmanship #LeatherArt #ArtisanMade

Back from Uganda, but my mind is still there. Amon

Back from Uganda, but my mind is still there. Among the endless landscapes, the textures, the craftsmanship. One visit stood out: a tannery in Jinja, where I saw the art of leatherwork up close. The process, the patience, the transformation of raw material into something timeless.

It made me think of one of my earlier collections. Layers of leather, turbans, flowing silhouettes - once walking the runway at Amsterdam Fashion Week, but it could be just as at home on the savannas of East Africa. Leather is a material of contrasts. In the cold, it insulates. In the heat, it breathes. A second skin that adapts, just like the people who wear it.

Maybe it’s time to take a future collection beyond the city - to the wild, where fabric meets the elements in their purest form? Just a thought.

#JANBOELO #FashionMeetsNature #RunwayToWild #LeatherDesign #AmsterdamFashionWeek #SlowFashionMovement #InspiredByAfrica #SavannaStyle #HighFashion #FashionInnovation #UgandaFashion #ForThoseWhoDare

Fashion critique, but make it wild: This little bu

Fashion critique, but make it wild:
This little bush stylist at the UWA Bandas in Pian Upe clearly had some opinions on outfit choices today. Who knew baboons had a thing for fabric textures?

#PianUpe #ugandawildlife #wildencounters #safarimoments #travellaughs #wildlifecomedy #unexpectedfriends #africanadventure #naturelover #baboon

Today’s gamedrive wasn’t just about spotting w

Today’s gamedrive wasn’t just about spotting wildlife, it was about understanding more of the land, following new tracks, and seeing different areas of the reserve. We saw Roan antelopes grazing in the distance, Oribis darting through the grass, the powerful stride of Jackson’s hartebeests and the towering presence of African elands. Above us, a symphony of birds, and across the horizon, local herders guiding their cattle, a reminder that humans and nature share this vast wilderness.

Pian Upe is one of Uganda’s last truly untouched reserves, a place where every turn reveals something new. A landscape few have explored, but one that holds endless stories waiting to be told.

Would you take the road less traveled? Just ask Elgon Safaris Uganda to give you this wilderness experience 😉

#PianUpe #UgandaWildlife #WildUganda #safariexperience #gamedrive #natureuntouched #offthebeatenpath #wildlifephotography #africansafari

Fashion is nothing without people: nothing without

Fashion is nothing without people: nothing without the hands that weave, cut, stitch, and craft. Today I visited Kilombera Weaving in Jinja, Uganda. It is runned by artisans whose work carries generations of skills—craft that is both heritage and innovation. Their techniques, their patience, their artistry remind me why I moved away from mass production in the first place.

After my first visit to them in 2018 I started to get interested in slow fashion more and more—not just in terms of materials, but also in honoring the hands that shape them. Every thread in the fabric is a continuation of tradition. Every fabric they make holds the energy of its maker.

I talked through some designs with them today and am happy that they are going to weave this into beautiful fabrics I can use in my collection. The end result is still some time away, but I am looking forward to it immensely, already!

The next time you wear something, ask yourself: Who made this? What story lives in its seams?

#janboelo #handcraftedwithpurpose #handwoven #customfabrics #jinja #uganda #travel #empowerment #travelwithpurpose #sustainable #authentic #unique

Every journey has a beginning. This was mine. In

Every journey has a beginning. This was mine.

In 2010, I stood in Paris, holding my first JANBOELO collection: full of raw ambition, unfiltered creativity, and the need to create without limits. We shot these photos in the capital of fashion, Paris, unaware of the paths that lay ahead.

Looking back, I see not just the clothes, but the mindset. The urge to design beyond trends, to build something timeless. That same energy still fuels me today. Creativity should never be tamed - it should evolve, refine, but always stay fearless.

This was the beginning. The rest is still being written. What was the moment that set your path in motion?

#ForThoseWhoDare #JANBOELO #ThrowbackFashion #FashionJourney #ParisFashion #HandcraftedDesign #FashionStory #SlowFashionMovement #TimelessStyle #ArtisticExpression #IndependentDesigner #ParisMoments #DesignEvolution #ReinventingFashion #CreativeFreedom

Three days left until I will return to Uganda. Ev

Three days left until I will return to Uganda.
Every journey starts with the essentials: binoculars for distant horizons, a Swahili phrasebook to connect with the local communities, and a field guide to determine the wildlife of the savannas I’m about to step into again. This trip is more than a return; it’s a continuation of a story.

This time, I’ll revisit Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, working alongside @elgonsafarisuganda on a project that brings together nature, culture, and the deeper meaning of travel. Every place I visit shapes the designs I create, and I find a lot of inspiration in the Karamajong people that are living in the area: textures inspired by the land, shaped by use and patterns drawn from experience.

Follow along next week for authentic stories from the Pearl of Africa, where adventure, inspiration, and creation intertwine. What’s the one item you never travel without?

#janboelo #elgonsafarisuganda #visituganda #pianupe #pianupewildlifereserve #adventure #explore #karamoja #localcommunities #travel #travelstories #wanderlust #instatravel #traveladdict #traveltheworld

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