A grandmother in rural Zambia has become a style icon and internet sensation after agreeing to swap clothes with her granddaughter, a renowned fashionista. Margherita Cholawho is over 80 years old, is celebrated around the world as “Legendary Glamma” and enjoys the admiration of 225,000 followers on Instagram for her striking and elegant photographs.
“I feel different, I feel new and alive in these clothes, in a way I’ve never felt before,” she said. Chola at the BBC. “I feel like I can take over the world.”
The Grandma series was created in 2023 by her granddaughter Diana Kaumba, a fashion designer based in New York. The idea was born when Diana she was visiting Zambia to celebrate the second anniversary of the death of her father, who always dressed well and was her biggest inspiration in the world of fashion. During this visit, without having worn all of his meticulously selected clothes, Diana He suggested to his grandmother (or “Mbuya”, as they say in the Bemba language) that they try some pieces.
“I wasn’t doing anything at the time, so I just said, ‘Okay. If that’s what you want to do, let’s go, why not?'” he recalled. Chola. “You’ll miss me when I die and at least then you’ll have something to remember me by.”
Even the famous actress Viola Davis shared the lady’s story on social media. I wait:
Check out this photo on Instagram
Exchange of pieces
Diana swapped her grandmother’s top and traditional “chitenge” for an elegant silver ensemble. “I thought it would be interesting to dress Mbuya in high fashion and photograph her in her natural habitat,” he explains Diana.
This natural environment is a farm in the village of 10 Miles, north of the Zambian capital, Lusaka. Often, Chola she is photographed in all her outdoor glamour, often sitting in an elegant wooden chair or lounging on a leather sofa. In the background appear exposed brick buildings with corrugated zinc roofs, plowed fields and mango trees.
The series really gained notoriety in April 2024, when Diana posted images of her grandmother dressed in a red Adidas dress, several chunky gold necklaces and a sparkling crown. “I was surprised to learn that so many people around the world love me,” she comments. Chola — who does not know his exact age due to the lack of a birth certificate. “I didn’t know I could make such an impact at this age.”
Assertive looks
Chola posing in clothes that mix bright colors, textures and different styles. Her favorite look includes jeans, a graphic tee with her image printed on the front, and a blonde wig. “I had never worn jeans or a wig before, so I was happy and started dancing,” she says.
Diana highlights her grandmother’s courage and grace, stating that she “gets every look right.” The productions reflect her granddaughter’s maximalist-chic aesthetic, celebrating excess, eclectic combinations, large volumes and contrasting patterns.
At the heart of this style are eye-catching accessories: bold sunglasses, large hats, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, rings, gloves, bags, blonde wigs and crowns. This influence comes directly from her own grandmother, a declared lover of pearls and bracelets.
In one particularly funny scene called GOAT, which stands for “greatest of all time,” Chola appears next to a goat adorned with his beloved pearls. Other accessories also reflect the personality and history of the great fashion figure.
Social portraits
He also appears smoking a pipe or holding a metal cup full of tea; Hanging from the arm of the chair is an “mbaula” – a charcoal stove often used by Zambians for cooking – especially as the country faces severe cuts to its electricity supply.
Diana hopes the Grandma series highlights how seniors still have so much to offer: making memories together is essential to “leaving footprints for generations to come.” As a result of Mbuya’s Style series photoshoots, Diana was hired by four grandchildren to model their grandmothers, aged 70 to 96.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
