AND SO IT CAME TO PASS, Rwanda’s tomorrow, the youth, beat biases about our beautiful homeland. If Rwandans are really always sad, bored, and shy, we, the youth may not be Rwandans at all. We now do street catwalks and have crowds gather to watch and cheer.
From around 3 PM to 5 PM on Saturday, May 7, a group of young people from Umumena w'abeza, the home of beauty, put on a fashion show befitting of the hype at the distinctive Green, Grey, Blue, and White Biryogo car-free zone.
A large crowd of people gathered and they were not only standing to watch but also cheer up and root for the youngsters. Two MCs, a girl, and a boy, I’m sure had their throats irritated after the show, because of how wonderful and loud their voices were.
I had come to the bustling Biryogo space to meet with former classmates. We also couldn't help but join the crowd to see what all the fuss was about. Thanks to the youngsters, this spot, where people generally sit while sipping their 'green tea' or other teas, was especially lively this night.
In Rwanda, fashion, or at least its popularity, is not even ten years old. Now seeing a group of unsponsored young people organise a street fashion show is such a milestone. Seeing the models, so inclusive, diverse, and all so confident, my heart beams with pride.
However, I’m saddened by the fact that the media does not cover such areas enough. These kids are in desperate need of sponsors and platforms, which is why they choose the free Biryogo zone. They also lack the visibility and support that we could all provide. I believe their efforts, however modest, should be applauded. "I love fashion and hope to one day be a professional model," Dieudonne Ishimwe, also known as Den-Don in his circle, said. "I just graduated from high school." I'm here because I need to start from somewhere as I work toward my dream," he explained.
He wore grey pants, a black shirt that was only partially buttoned, and black reebok shoes which went well with his fancy grey-colored hairdo. "I'm going to have to wash my hair and go to the barbershop for a proper haircut; there's no way I'm going back home looking like this," he said laughing.
"As I catwalk in front of these strangers, I'm not shy." "I'm doing this to gather some experience as I look for ways to one day start my own fashion business," said a very excited girl everyone calls ‘Miss’.
Those I was able to speak with stated that their parents did not always back their fashion dreams, demonstrating the long way Rwandans still have to go despite the progress accomplished thus far.
It is true that one aspect of fashion that bothers old Rwandan folks the most is Fashionista appearances. It is often far from what they consider 'decent.' Nonetheless, if we are to really advance in the fashion industry then some things we will have to do with.