Up close with poet-turned fashion designer Ntwara

He is one of the young entrants into the country’s burgeoning fashion industry. At only 23 years of age, Janvier Ntwara has used his passion in arts to improve his life. He reckons everyone should use their talent in any given field. Janvier Ntwara He was one of the exhibitors at the just concluded Kigali Fashion Cultural Week at Centre Arts in Kimihurura. Joseph Oindo caught up with him for an interview about his life in the fashion industry. Excerpts: When did you realise you had passion for fashion? When I was in my primary school, I used to do floral, among other designs, for my older sisters that they could turn into beautiful patterns. What did you do immediately after school? After completing my senior six, I realised that arts was my passion. Together with a couple of friends, we formed a group that used to perform poetry at Ishyo Centre. What made you venture into the fashion industry? When Ishyo Art Centre closed, the group separated. Some of the members faded into oblivion. However, I decided that I could use my other talent apart from poetry; that is, fashion since I didn’t have a job. Ntwara also designs menswear. What is unique about your designs? Unlike other fashion designers that have ventured into western culture and are making western clothes, mine is authentic Rwandan traditional fashion. I put colours and designs into the African fabrics. I like creating unique clothes for women and children. Apart from fashion design, what other unique talents do you have? I’m multitalented in the arts. I write and recite poetry. I like singing and painting. After my secondary school, I also ventured into painting and digital art. Ntwara’s collections featured at the just concluded Kigali Fashion Cultural Week. What are the challenges that fashion designers like you face in this industry? It’s quite unfortunate that most of my products are bought by only foreigners especially tourists. I think this is quite ironical because, as Africans, we should be promoting our cultural heritage, like how we dress. Yet we instead go for western clothes. Any other project? Yes, I have a branch in India which I opened this summer – in July. I export some of my clothes to India. This is a great opportunity for me to make Rwandan designs known abroad. How do you see the future of Rwanda fashion industry? It’s bright. We started small but are seeing positive signs that it’s headed for bigger things.

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Up close with poet-turned fashion designer Ntwara