In its February-March 2026 issue, HELLO! Fashion crowns Ugandan model Eva Apio as its cover star, profiling her as a “modern face of the fashion industry” who blends high style with inspiration and altruism. The feature emphasizes Eva’s massive social-media presence (over 860,000 Instagram followers) and her commitment to charity, suggesting she redefines what it means to be an “actual influencer” today. It traces her journey from a communal childhood in Uganda to modeling success abroad, quoting Eva’s own words that her upbringing gave her “my sense of self, my resilience, and my pride”. Overall, the piece presents Eva as a stylish yet grounded figure who uses her platform for representation and social good, declaring that she wants to “open doors and shift perceptions” for others.
Eva Apio
Cover Story Highlights
Modern Muse: The cover story introduces Eva as a “shining example” of the new generation of fashion icons; stylish, inspirational and altruistic. Her 860k+ followers and charitable work are cited as evidence that she is more than a pretty face, but a genuine influencer.
Roots and Resilience: Eva credits her Ugandan childhood for shaping her character. She describes growing up in a communal culture where “everyone was family”, giving her the resilience and pride that underpin her confidence.
Cultural Style: Hello! Fashion highlights Uganda’s rich textile heritage (from bark cloth to organic cotton) and a burgeoning African fashion scene. This ties into Eva’s own aesthetic: she says her style is “influenced by [her] roots, bold colours, textures, and statement pieces”.
Representation and Diversity: The story notes that Eva has faced industry biases (agencies once told her she was “too short” or “too fat”) but has turned uniqueness into power. It emphasizes that she believes “representation matters” and is proud to be among a new wave of African models, while acknowledging there is still work to do on diversity.
Philanthropy: A major theme is Eva’s use of her influence for good. In 2020 she founded the Evapiofoundation, aimed at improving life for Ugandan and African youth. The charity focuses on building a youth centre, promoting sports and healthy living, and providing education, trauma therapy and basic aid to vulnerable children.
Values and Faith: The interview underlines Eva’s personal values. She speaks openly about her Christian faith, saying it “grounds her” and brings “peace, perspective and gratitude” and on social media she rejects perfection in favor of honesty: “There’s no such thing as a perfect Instagram feed… consistency, authenticity, and storytelling” matter most.
Eva’s Ugandan background is portrayed as the bedrock of her identity. The story quotes her saying “My childhood in Uganda felt very communal… Life felt slower, fuller, and deeply rooted in togetherness.” It describes Uganda as a place “rich in culture, languages and traditions” and even notes it is often called the “Pearl of Africa”, not just for its scenery but for the warmth of its people. This cultural richness, from music and storytelling to deep respect for elders is linked to Eva’s own outlook. The piece also highlights Uganda’s textile heritage: for example, it mentions traditional bark cloth made from fig-tree bark and a growing organic cotton industry as sources of sartorial innovation. Notably, the story reports that Uganda’s textile sector employs about 2.5 million people, underlining how deeply fashion and craftsmanship are woven into the country’s fabric. In summary, Uganda is presented as an “incubator” for Eva’s creativity, a homeland whose communal values and craftsmanship inform her resilience and style.
The interview emphasizes Eva’s celebration of African fashion. She applauds the “incredible” rise of designers from the continent, noting that labels like South African Thebe Magugu, Labrum, and Priya Ahluwalia are finally gaining global recognition. Eva herself remarks that “there’s a confidence in African fashion that I love”, and that her personal style is bold and rooted in her heritage. HELLO! Fashion cites her as saying she actively seeks storytelling in clothes, not just surface looks. This influence shows up in her own wardrobe: her social feed mixes luxury brands (Chanel Wellington boots, Prada jackets, Hermès bags) with pieces from Black-owned labels and African designers. (For example, she’s worked with Off-White, Burberry, Tory Burch and Louis Vuitton, yet also spotlights indie lines like Cortiez and PLACES+FACES.) The story even recalls Uganda’s history of fashion rebellion (such as the 1970s protest against Idi Amin’s dress code bans) to frame Eva as part of a legacy of bold expression. In all, her style is portrayed as a vibrant fusion of high fashion and cultural pride.
Eva makes it clear she sees her modeling career as a platform for positive change. She notes that “my background reminds me that I represent more than just myself. I want to open doors and shift perceptions.”. In line with this, the article details how she founded the Evapiofoundation in 2020 to give back to Ugandan and African youth. The foundation’s stated goal is to build a youth centre that is a safe haven for children and support for single parents, using sports and healthy living to promote positive lifestyles. In practice, the charity provides basics (food, clothing, shelter) to orphans and street children, offers therapy for trauma, and teaches kids how to stay safe from abuse. For example, in 2022 the foundation partnered with a women’s lingerie brand to supply school items and sanitary products to children in Zanzibar. This work embodies its motto (from Proverbs 11:25) of being “blessed to bless others”. The story also mentions Eva’s new fitness initiative, EVSS, a bootcamp designed to “inspire and empower” women through exercise. Together, these endeavors underscore that Eva’s influence extends well beyond fashion; she actively supports education, health and community-building initiatives that reflect her values.
A running theme is Eva’s insistence on authenticity. She describes herself as a “hybrid” who values both social media and traditional modeling, but always tries to “keep it real” online. The story quotes her saying “there’s no such thing as a perfect Instagram feed… consistency, authenticity, and storytelling” are what truly resonate with followers. At the same time, the story does not gloss over the obstacles she’s faced. It recounts how agencies once told Eva she was “too short” or “too fat,” and how she sometimes had to do her own hair and makeup backstage because the artists didn’t have products for her hair/skin. Despite this, Eva’s outlook remains positive and encouraging. She advises aspiring models to “believe in yourself before anyone else does… protect your values, and don’t rush the process. Your time will come.”. She speaks of entering 2026 with a focus on presence, peace and personal growth; “spiritually, creatively and personally”, reflecting a calm, grounded perspective. In essence, the cover story portrays Eva Apio as someone who has overcome industry pressures through self-belief and who projects that confidence forward to help others.
In conclusion, the Hello! Fashion cover story paints Eva Apio not just as a fashion model but as a role model. The feature ends on an optimistic note, stating that in a world of superficial influencers, Eva’s “care, humility, and an unwavering commitment to giving back” offer hope. By chronicling her roots, her challenges, and her generous initiatives, the article presents Eva as an “actual influencer”, stylish and successful, yet deeply connected to her community. In doing so, it suggests that personalities like Eva, who blend creativity with conscience, truly represent the best of the modern fashion industry.
Click here to read full cover story!
TEAM
Editor: @clarepenners
Words: @tanialeslau
Photographer: @ianhippo
Stylist: @harrietnicolsonstylist
Art Direction: @m_ol_ly
Videographer: @leanneperrinsfilms
Social Media Editor: @elizabeth_aminoff
Hair: @eajstylesdidthat
Makeup: @makeupbydexter
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