THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED Mercedes-Benz fashion week was evident that the fashion scene in Rwanda is steadily growing, as the country positions itself to become the next fashion hub in Africa. Over 100 international guests who are normally big players in the fashion industry, including 27 designers, were in Kigali ahead of the six-day fashion event. Below are the five highlights Rwanda urged to have a fashion school Belgian fashion designer Chris Vitj, who was in Rwanda for the second edition of Mercedes-Benz Fashion week called on Rwandan designers and the business community to at least build one fashion school in Rwanda. Belgian fashion designer Chris Vitj called on Rwandan designers and the business community to at least build one fashion school in Rwanda. She was talking at the Fashion Forum which took place last week at Norrsken, Kigali, that brought together Africa’s finest designers and beyond to discuss the growth of Africas fashion industry from a business perspective. “I hope someday, starting with a few people here, there will be a kind of school like that. That is my hope,” said the designer, who was a fashion lecturer for a decade until 2021. Young Rwandan designers given a platform to showcase their collections In the recently concluded Mercedes- Benz Fashion week, Young fast rising designers were given a platform to showcase their collection to 27 top designers worldwide. This happened on May 19, at M-Hotel, when fashion houses like Jarah by Linda Muhoza, Inkingi Designs, Fashion Forward, A&M Kigali Urban, Ntare Gitare, Koni Clothing and others showcased their collections on the runway. A total of 10 young designers were given a platform to show their creativity. Music meets fashion Renowned Rwandan musicians alongside top music bands in Rwanda thrilled revellers of Mercedes-Benz Fashion week that were held last week in Kigali. During day two of the fashion week that took place at M-hotel Kigali, Mike Kayihura and Christopher played live music with the Target band while different collections were showcased on the runway. Renowned disc jockey, Selecta Copain, also graced the grand finale of the fashion week with a live set of afro music. Top designers participate This year’s edition of Mercedes Benz fashion week was bigger and better than the inaugural edition staged in 2019, with the runway featuring over 15 designers both local and international. Renowned designers like Malawi’s Lilly Alphonso that showcased Dessert collections, Kais Divo collection from Uganda, Qaal designs of Somalia, Ghana’s Arshia Wilson, Thando Piliso of South Africa, among many others showcased their collections during the grand finale of the fashion week. Some of the Rwandan models that graced the runway. Courtesy photos South Africa’s Georges Malelu who used to dress Beyonce in 2018 also participated at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion show. Top models such as Grace Akeza, Honorine Uwase, Kentha Kirezi, Aisha Uwase and many others also represented different designers on the runway. African fashion dominates In the recently concluded Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show that took place from May 16-21, African collections dominated others on the runway. Among 15 designers that participated in the fashion week, 10 showcased outfits made in Kitenge couture.
