As well as being one of the most recognisable faces in fashion, Dennis Okwera is also the Founder of the Lumule Foundation, an activist, accomplished builder and one of the humblest people you could meet. Currently the star of our Spring/Summer shoot, we sat him down for a chat about his unimaginable childhood in Uganda, his modelling career and his incredible charity…
Could you tell us more about your background and what’s brought you to where you are today?
Well, it’s been quite a journey… I was born in Northern Uganda at a time when the Lord’s Resistance Army was waging a war and abducting children to join their troops. Because of this, I spent a lot of my early life in hiding. School wasn’t a priority – survival came first. Luckily for me, my dad pulled us away from the dangerous region we lived in to a place further north called Gulu. We had to leave my mum behind, but in Gulu, children could sleep safely in the compounds of the army barracks. Then, at age nine, my brother and I moved to London with my dad.
Fast forward a few years and while studying at university, I was scouted as a model. It was then that I decided to give back to the people of Uganda and the communities that had been left broken. After the war, they weren’t offered any rehabilitation, so I started sending sanitary pads, books and pens, then during covid, I sent as many masks as I could.
In 2022, I travelled to Uganda for the first time in 20 years and finally met my mum again – this amazing, strong woman who had sacrificed everything to give me the chance to experience freedom and the right to live, learn and earn.
And what happened when you returned?
Firstly, I saw that I needed to do more. The school I visited had been completely destroyed by the rebels and some classrooms still had bullet holes in the walls – it was at this point that I realised I wanted to help the children of Uganda first. Many of them either went home before the afternoon lessons, or fell asleep during class simply because they were hungry. So, I started building the facilities to make sure every child was fed before and during school. And I founded the Lumule Foundation to create a safe place for the children of Lumule.
From my modelling career, I had managed to save enough money to put down a deposit on a home in London, but I spent it on rebuilding the school’s dining hall, kitchen and storeroom, plus hiring staff and buying food. And since 17 June this year, the kids have been eating breakfast and lunch every day.
How does modelling for luxury brands tie in with your incredible history?
As a boy, I never dreamt of getting paid to have my picture taken, but I believe this happened to me for a reason. The luxury I’ve been exposed to has made everything I’m doing possible, and I see the fashion industry as a door that I’ve walked through – it’s made all my dreams come true. It’s important for me to understand that life is bigger than myself and I’m just thankful for any opportunity that comes my way, and allows me to share my story with you.
Do you enjoy working in the fashion industry?
I love to look good – that’s for sure. If I can live well, be kind and look elegant all at the same time, then I’m all in. I also enjoy dressing up and the process behind a shoot – it’s like I’m reaching into someone’s creative mind. When I’m on set, I bring my all and I see every job as an opportunity to speak to more people about the world.
When you’re influenced by so many different designs and clothes, how do you curate your own world around you?
Pieces that I like to wear must be timeless, and match with other things in my wardrobe. I’m not the sort of person who buys new things for events – I like to wear a set of clothing for as long as they last. My clothes also have to be comfortable and colourful, and I prefer responsible brands that have sustainability in mind too.
My aesthetic is a weird one, as sometimes I wake up and I want to dress like a 15 year old; other days, I’m a grown-up man and some mornings, I wake up super sporty – it’s just how my energy feels that day. I always like to be elegant in what I wear, but I don’t follow trends – to me, being a curator means being authentic to my own style.
Do you have any treasured possessions?
I’ve got some treasured pieces by my close friend, Wales Bonner, who I’ve worked with since I started modelling.
Harvey Nichols has made a donation to the Lumule Foundation.