Margret Chola, a grandmother in rural Zambia, has captured global attention as the style icon “Legendary Glamma,” amassing 225,000 Instagram followers with her bold and playful fashion. The 80-something-year-old has become a symbol of reinvention and intergenerational creativity, thanks to her stylist granddaughter Diana Kaumba, who transformed their shared love for fashion into a viral sensation.
From Farm Life to High Fashion- Margret Chola
Margret Chola’s iconic looks juxtapose rural Zambian backdrops—fields, brick houses, and mango trees—with extravagant outfits. Whether lounging on a leather sofa in a green leather suit or sitting in a tilled field adorned with cat-eye sunglasses and snake-shaped jewelry, her fashion embodies eclectic maximalism. Accessories like pearl necklaces, bold sunglasses, and wigs complete her unapologetic style.
The Birth of the Granny Series
The idea began in 2023 during Kaumba’s visit to Zambia. A stylist based in New York, Kaumba asked her grandmother to try on unworn outfits from her trip. The experiment birthed the Granny Series, where Chola’s natural surroundings complement her high-fashion looks.
“I feel new and alive in these clothes,” Chola shared. “I feel like I can conquer the world!”
Highlights of Her Style Journey
- Patriotic Pride: A green sports jersey styled with a frilly red skirt in Zambia’s national colors.
- GOAT Glam: A playful shoot featuring Chola with a goat, both wearing pearls.
- Personal Favorite: Jeans and a graphic T-shirt—a first for her, paired with a blonde wig.
A Newfound Purpose
The Granny Series not only celebrates style but also strengthens the grandmother-granddaughter bond. Chola’s life story—leaving school early, enduring a difficult marriage, and finding resilience—adds depth to her inspiring journey.
“I’m now able to wake up with a purpose knowing that people around the world love to see me,” Chola says.
Spreading Inspiration
Kaumba hopes the series will encourage people to celebrate older generations. “Do not write them off,” she urges, adding that elders still have much to offer.
Chola echoes this sentiment, saying, “Live your life and don’t worry about being judged. You can never change your past—but you can change your future.”
From an unexpected collaboration came a powerful message: style knows no age, and reinvention is always possible. Legendary Glamma reminds the world that confidence, creativity, and family bonds never go out of fashion.
