After a six-year hiatus, Kigali Fashion Week is preparing for a powerful comeback under the stewardship of new organizers LG Events Rwanda, who are bringing ambitious plans to redefine the celebrated fashion gala.
Arguably one of the biggest fashion events in Rwanda, Kigali Fashion Week last took place in Kigali in 2020 when it marked its 10th year anniversary.
However, the event has since come at halt for primarily due to the Covid-19 and Ebola outbreak in Uganda. Organisers opted to only focus on organising similar events out of the country after rebranding it to Kigali International Fashion Week in 2023.
The revitalized event will make its return in May 2026 at Zaria Court under the theme "Rebirth: Culture Meets Elegance," promising a comprehensive celebration that extends far beyond traditional runway presentations.
John Munyeshuri, the event's original founder and previous organizer who, through the event, produced what he calls "icons" in Rwanda's fashion industry, entrusted LG Events with a seven-year management agreement.
He expressed satisfaction with the transition while emphasizing continuity of vision.
"It will be more international and more involving young Rwanda new talents. I'm sure they will slightly move away from the more traditional outlook. They're definitely moving with the times,” Munyeshuri told The New Times.
While the main event will unfold over two dynamic days, the entire week will pulse with fashion-focused activities designed to maximize impact and engagement across Kigali's creative community.
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The first day will feature an immersive exhibition showcasing form and fabric innovations, complemented by panel discussions bringing together industry stakeholders and the general public.
These conversations will spotlight Rwanda&039;s fashion creative economy while championing the "Made in Rwanda" movement, creating meaningful dialogue about local fashion entrepreneurship.
Day two promises to deliver the spectacle audiences expect with a grand runway show featuring ten headline designers. The carefully curated lineup will include five talents from East Africa alongside five representatives from across the African continent. The evening will conclude with red carpet glamour and performances.
George Lugoloobi, LG Events Production and Creative Director, emphasized the organization's commitment to world-class production values.
"Audiences can expect an energetic showcase with powerful production, world-class staging, lighting, music, and choreography," he explained.
The red-carpet experience receives particular attention in the new vision, designed to match international standards of elegance and prestige. More than mere arrivals, this element will provide designers and guests with prime opportunities for media engagement while generating compelling visual content for press coverage and partner promotion.
A newly introduced networking lounge will serve as the event's business hub, connecting creatives, sponsors, buyers, and media professionals. While East African participants from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania will form the core delegation, the event will also welcome designers from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Congo, and beyond.