The Bénédiction Fashion Gala, held at RM Casa Italia in Nyarutarama on Saturday, August 15, brought together fashion, gospel music, cultural performances and prize giveaways in an event that promoted diversity and inclusivity.

The gala showcased the latest collections from Bénédiction Boutique, with female models of different ages taking to the runway to present a range of outfits.

The event was also enlivened by gospel performances, with singers including Emmy Vox, who performed Arakora, and Tonzi, who entertained guests with songs such as Humura and Nzajya Nusingiza Yesu.

ALSO READ: Bénédiction fashion gala to blend runway, gospel music and inclusivity

The organisers said the gala was designed to create a platform where fashion and gospel music could come together while ensuring that people from different age groups and backgrounds were represented.

Francoisse Uwera, founder of Bénédiction Boutique, said the event was organised to showcase the boutique’s products, which cater to women and include clothing sourced from several countries.

The collections featured clothes from countries including France, Belgium, Italy and Turkey.

"We are planning to continue doing these shows. It is good to show clothes while people are wearing them because they look good. We are happy to do this activity,” Uwera said.

She said the inaugural edition attracted people from different backgrounds and expressed plans to take the event beyond Kigali.

"We are planning to expand the show into different provinces, not only in Kigali,” she said.

Including models of different ages

Event coordinator Jenny Rutayisire said the gala was intended to showcase Bénédiction Boutique’s clothing and products, including brands from Belgium and other European countries.

"I helped them organise the event so that we could showcase everything they have. People do not know that we can hold such an event in Rwanda. It was a unique event. It was the first edition, and there are many more to come,” Rutayisire said.

She said the organisers deliberately included models of different ages, including older participants, to promote greater representation on the runway.

"We included people of higher ages because our event is unique. We know professional models, and they are usually skinny. But what about people who are older, say those aged 40 and above? They do not necessarily see themselves represented by these skinny models. I hope I am not offending anyone,” she said.

"But we want to include everyone, from the age of 18 to 65. You come and see everything you can get. That is why we had a shop, so everyone could see something they love. They can get something similar or perhaps something they love even more.”

Rutayisire said preparing the older participants for the runway was not difficult because of their enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

"When you love something, it becomes easier. Because we had a casting, if someone is willing to do something and is willing to be trained, it is very easy. It was fun, and I think everyone saw it as a unique event because of the different age groups. We also wanted to bring together things that people might think cannot go together.”

‘Fashion is for everyone’

Uwihoreye Claire, 45, one of the models at the gala, said fashion is often associated with younger people but should be open to everyone regardless of age.

"People normally see young generations attending fashion events and think it is for young people, but I like it and I see that everyone can join. There is no problem,” she said.

She said participating in fashion requires confidence and encouraged women of her age to embrace opportunities to take part.

"It requires self-confidence because fashion is about clothing, and even people of my age and older wear clothes. I can encourage people of my age to come and join and present clothes because there are different clothes here for my age, as well as for those older and younger than me. There are all categories. It requires having love for that,” Uwihoreye said.

She said participating in the gala encouraged her to take modelling and fashion more seriously.

"The Benediction Gala made me feel that what I liked earlier, and wished to engage myself in, had already been done. Getting the chance made me happy and gave me the idea to continue with modelling and fashion. This is a good action to strengthen mums of my age,” she said.

"I took the first step to engage myself in it at a high age. I learnt it, knew it, and now I am able to do it.”

Uwihoreye also encouraged other women her age to overcome the perception that fashion and modelling are only for younger people.

"To mums of my age, I can tell them that we are able, we can do it, and the thinking that we cannot present clothes must be left behind,” she said.

For Sincia Igihozo, another model who participated in the gala, the experience provided an opportunity to build confidence and develop her runway skills.

"The experience was amazing because it helped me improve my confidence and enabled me to present the clothes I was wearing and present myself as a runway model,” Igihozo said.