Rwandan fashion designers were among the East African fashion designers that participated in the just concluded Kampala Fashion Intro held at Serena Hotel in Uganda. Designers Cynthia Rupari, Patrick Muhire and Kelvin Kagirimpundu graced the show alongside Ugandan designers Gloria Wavamunno, Renzioni, Balungi, Halisi, and Isabella Asiimwe. Burundi was represented by Cynthia Munwangari and Krystal Bell. Kampala Fashion Intro was organised by Great Lakes Arts Association (GLAA) that incorporates fashion gurus in the Eastern African countries of Congo, Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda. Cynthia Munwangari, the CEO Burundi Fashion Week and John Bunyesheli, the CEO Rwanda Fashion Week, also graced the event. The show was organised in partnership with the New York Fashion Week to give a chance to the Great Lakes designers to shine and showcase their art. Patrick Muhire, the founder of Inkanda Arts Design, said Rwanda’s fashion industry has reached a level where it’s recognised and appreciated. “Rwanda has wonderful designers and it is something that we should be proud of as Rwandan fashion designers,” he said. Patrick showcased four types of designs that included casual wear, evening gowns, wedding gowns and cocktail dresses. According to Kelvin Kagirimpundu, the founder of Uzuri K&Y designs, the Rwandan fashion industry has grown fast, adding that five years ago there were no fashion designers to talk about. “New fashion and jewelry shops are opening up and there is hope that within two years, the fashion industry will have grown even bigger. Fashion designers need to put into consideration the status of the market in Rwanda if they want to grow in the industry,” she said. She further said that fashion designers need to travel and participate in other fashion shows so that they can learn from other experienced designers. The event was produced and organised by New York Fashion Week Events Management Company, LDJ Productions and Fenon Records.
