Legendary Glamma: How an 85-year-old grandmother became Instagram's style icon

Margaret Chola takes the internet by a storm. (Instagram/@legendary_glamma)

An 85-year-old grandmother has taken the internet by storm after agreeing to pose for incredible photographs dressed in chic, modern clothing.

Margaret Chola, known on her Instagram page as "legendary_glamma," has already amassed over 225,000 followers. This creative idea was initiated by her fashionista granddaughter, who visited her in Zambia from New York City.

Diana Koumba, a New York-based stylist, launched a fashion line called Paksik Granny Series in 2023. Margaret's page has been gaining significant attention due to the colourful and captivating nature of her content. She poses in unique, modern, and vibrant outfits, modelling with the confidence of an experienced professional.

Speaking to the BBC, internet sensation and fashion icon Margaret Chola said: “I feel different in these clothes. I feel new and vibrant, something I’ve never felt before. It feels like I could conquer the world! My journey to fame began when my granddaughter, Diana Koumba, a stylist based in New York, launched a fashion series called Paksik Granny Series in 2023.”

Diana started this project during a visit to Zambia to mark the second anniversary of her father's death. According to Diana, her father, a lover of fashion, inspired her to pursue a career in the fashion and design industry. She shared how her father’s unique and stylish dressing ignited her creativity.

While in Zambia, Diana realised she had brought along extra designer outfits she hadn’t yet worn. Out of curiosity, she asked her "Mbuiya" (grandmother in the Bemba language) if she would be willing to play dress-up, and Margaret agreed.

“I wasn’t doing anything at the time, so I just said, ‘Alright, if you want to do this, let’s go for it. When I’m gone, at least you’ll remember me like this,” said Margaret Chola.

Diana began by dressing her grandmother in a silver pantsuit, accessorised with a top and a chitenge—a traditional fabric wrapped around the waist. Diana photographed Margaret in their natural surroundings in 10 Miles Village, located just north of Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. The project aimed to capture the vibrant beauty of her grandmother in high-fashion outfits.

“I was really nervous when I posted that first picture. I left my phone for 10 minutes, and in that time, I had 1,000 likes. My mind was blown. The comments started flooding in, and people were asking for more,” Diana shared.

Margaret’s photographs showcase her self-assurance, with backdrops of corrugated iron roofs, brick buildings, maize fields, and mango trees. In one series, she dons a red Adidas tracksuit with heavy gold necklaces and a sparkling jewelled crown, capturing the internet’s attention in April 2024.

“It surprised me to hear that so many people around the world loved me, especially those who didn’t know my real age because I don’t have a birth certificate. I didn’t know I could have such an impact at my age,” Margaret said with a smile.

The project features a tapestry of outfits blending bold colours, textures, and styles. One standout look includes a green American football jersey paired with a red skirt, while another showcases a shimmering blue sequined top accessorised with a golden snake necklace and bracelets. Margaret also wore a graphic T-shirt featuring her image, paired with jeans and a golden wig—a first for her, which she adored.

“She has courage, grace, and shines in every look,” Diana remarked, reflecting on her grandmother’s boldness.

In another unique image, Margaret is adorned in shiny, colourful pearls while posing with a goat. Another photograph features her holding a beloved radio, while yet another shows her with an ibende (a wooden stick used for pounding millet, cassava, or maize). A poignant image of Margaret sipping tea from a metal cup with a mboula (charcoal brazier) nearby offers a nostalgic nod to Zambia's frequent power outages.

Despite beginning in 2023, Margaret’s iconic style gained widespread recognition in 2024. Diana has since been hired to style four elderly relatives, aged 70 to 96, by their respective granddaughters. Diana hopes her Granny Series will educate people on the value and wisdom older generations bring. “Don’t ignore them; love them until the end because, remember, we’ll all be like them one day,” Diana told the BBC.

Fashion-wise, Diana’s bold combinations of patterns, colours, and oversized accessories showcase her creativity. Margaret added that the project inspires people to embrace themselves without fear of judgement. “Forgive yourself for the mistakes you’ve made. You can never change your past, but you can change your future,” Margaret advised.

This legendary project has deepened the bond between Diana and her grandmother. Through these photo shoots, Diana learned more about her grandmother’s life, including her challenging past.

Margaret dropped out of school at the age of 12 or 13 and was forced into an arranged marriage with a 30-year-old man. She escaped the marriage and its hardships, raising three children and eventually finding joy in her new role as a fashion icon.

“Now I wake up knowing that people around the world love to see me,” Margaret said, embodying resilience and grace.