The inaugural edition of The Stage Fashion Showcase kicked off at Kigali Marriott Hotel with attendees dressed to impress, ready to immerse themselves in an evening of fashion, music and comedy. The event was highly anticipated, promising a unique fusion of style and entertainment.

At around 7pm charismatic hosts, Fally Merci and Christelle Kabagire, finally took the stage. In his welcoming remarks, Merci promised a memorable evening that would not only feature remarkable fashion but also incorporate music and comedy, ensuring a diverse and enjoyable experience for all in attendance.

The highlight of the evening was, of course, the talented designers who took the stage one by one, showcasing their innovative and stunning creations. The crowd was buzzing with excitement, eager to see the creative expressions in the world of fashion. It was a night filled with glitz and glamour, celebrating the artistry of talented designers.

The designers who showcased their collections were Paulin, a young promising designer from Rwanda, Iza collection, Bwiza Fashion who showcased 15 collections, Ugandan Njonjo design who has been in the industry since 2019, Inkanda Fashion house, Ugandan Kent Kristabel, Tanzanian Kassikana and Rwanda’s Mateo Maurice.

The founder of Webest Models, Franco Kabano showered praises on Sandrine Mucyo, recognizing her great initiative in promoting Rwanda’s fashion industry.

"I wanted to give you something that when she wakes up in the morning she sees this as a billboard in her house. Thank you so much for being a nice person and being among the people raising our flag and putting Rwanda on another market, please never stop,” he said.

Renowned singers Chriss Eazzy and Davis D added a vibe to the show with a performance of their famous songs, giving the fashion enthusiasts a fun night. Comedy duo Mavide and Pazzo entertained the audience with their hilarious jokes.

Even though Sandrine Mucyo, founder and CEO of the fashion showcase recounted an unfortunate incident when the hotel management denied her the opportunity to showcase her bikini line, citing that it was not allowed, The Stage Fashion Showcase was a night to remember, for the dazzling fashion showcased by East African designers. The first edition of this showcase was, indeed, an unforgettable event, promising more to come in the world of Rwandan fashion.

The Stage is a hub for models that is not only geared towards booking talent on a national level but also towards planning a fashion show. It also aims at bringing together well-known creatives from around the globe for a networking, conversational, celebratory, and experiential fashion experience, but most importantly for developing skills.