A grandmother from rural Zambia has captured the hearts of social media users worldwide, becoming a style sensation after she and her granddaughter began swapping outfits for fun photoshoots.
Margret Chola, in her mid-80s, has become known online as “Legendary Glamma,” earning a dedicated following of 225,000 on Instagram thanks to her playful and striking fashion photos.
“I feel different, like I’m rejuvenated. These clothes make me feel alive in a way I’ve never experienced before,” Chola shared with the BBC. “I feel like I can take on anything now!”
The viral “Granny Series” was created by her granddaughter, Diana Kaumba, a stylist based in New York. The idea for the series came about during a 2023 visit to Zambia, where Kaumba had returned to commemorate the second anniversary of her father’s passing. It was his love for fashion that had inspired Kaumba’s own passion. While in Zambia, she realized she hadn’t worn many of the outfits she’d packed, so she decided to ask her grandmother, whom she calls “Mbuya,” if she’d like to try them on.
Chola, who had no immediate plans, agreed: “I wasn’t doing anything, so I thought, why not? At least if I try this, you’ll remember me when I’m gone.”
Kaumba dressed her grandmother in high fashion, including a sleek silver pantsuit, and photographed her in the natural beauty of their rural surroundings in 10 Miles, a village north of Lusaka. The contrast between the glamour of the outfits and the rustic backdrop of the farm, with its corrugated iron roofs and maize fields, added an interesting and unique visual appeal to the series.
“When I posted the first photo, I was so nervous. I stepped away from my phone for just 10 minutes, and in that short time, it got 1,000 likes,” Kaumba recalled. “I couldn’t believe it. People were commenting and asking for more!”
The series took off internationally in April 2024 after Kaumba posted a picture of Chola wearing a red Adidas dress, gold necklaces, and a sparkling crown.
“I never expected people to love me like this,” Chola said, admitting she doesn’t even know her exact age because she was never given a birth certificate. “I didn’t realize I could have such an impact at my age.”
Chola’s wardrobe for the photoshoots reflects a bold, maximalist style, with bright colors, mixed textures, and eye-catching accessories. She has worn everything from a layered red dress styled as a skirt to honor Zambia’s 60th independence anniversary, to sequined tops paired with golden jewelry. One of her favorite looks includes wearing jeans, a graphic T-shirt with her own image on it, and a blonde wig.
“I’ve never worn jeans or a wig before, so I felt really happy and even danced a little,” she said with a smile.
Her granddaughter praises her grandmother for her courage, grace, and her ability to confidently pull off any look. The series embraces a vibrant aesthetic full of eccentric combinations—bold sunglasses, large hats, and chunky jewelry—often incorporating meaningful personal items from Chola’s life. In some photos, she can be seen holding a cherished radio, a stick used for pounding maize, or a charcoal brazier (known as an “mbaula”)—a common cooking tool in Zambia, especially during frequent power outages.
Kaumba hopes the Granny Series will emphasize that older people still have much to offer, and that making memories with family is a valuable way to leave a lasting legacy.
“Don’t disregard the elderly,” Kaumba said. “Love them until the end because, one day, we’ll all be there too.”
The series has had a profound impact, leading to Kaumba being hired by four other granddaughters to style their grandmothers, who range in age from 70 to 96.
Chola herself hopes the Granny Series encourages people to live life freely, without fear of societal judgment. She advises others to “forgive yourself for past mistakes. You can’t change the past, but you can shape your future.”
Through their special bond, Kaumba has learned more about her grandmother’s difficult past. Chola was raised by her grandparents and married young, at the age of 13, to a man in his 30s due to economic pressures. She later escaped an abusive marriage, but the scars from that time remain.
Yet, her unexpected rise to fame has given Chola a fresh sense of purpose: “Now, I wake up every day with a reason to smile, knowing people all over the world enjoy seeing me.”
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