Umurisa is among the top models currently treading in Rwanda and in the East Africa region. This comes after her great success journey to participate in the Swahili Fashion Week (SFW2023). In the interview with the RCFS's Media Umurisa said that it was not by mistake to be selected and invited to the SFW2023 representing Rwanda because it was her time. 

Rwanda's Top Model Gabriella Umurisa on the runway during the SFW 2023  (Photo SFW2023)

"I have been doing modeling as my career for more than 7 years. It was my time. It was good news to hear from the organizers of the SFW2023 after checking my profile that I deserved to be among the nominees in the category of the East African Model of the Year 2023 representing my country Rwanda" Said Umurisa 

Rwanda's Top Model Gabriella Umurisa was among  the SFW 2023 's nominees (Photo SFW2023)

 It all started in November last year when the organizers of the SFW sent an invitation to Umurisa telling her that she was selected and she would represent Rwanda in the category of the East African Model of the Year 2023. Since then, Umurisa was on the list among the contestants on board from 4 countries; Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda where the audience started to vote who would be the winner. 

Rwanda's Top Model Gabriella Umurisa on the runway during the SFW 2023  (Photo SFW2023)

" It was possible because my management team is based in Tanzania, they have been working with me to prepare to attend this regional fashion week. I knew that I would go there for 3 days just for a fashion show, but later I was told that I was also among the nominees, not only modeling. Thank you to my team in Tanzania" Said Umurisa 

According to Rwanda's top model Umurisa, the SFW2023 was a great platform for her to gain more than just taking photos on the runway. 

Rwanda's Top Model Gabriella Umurisa on the runway during the SFW 2023  (Photo SFW2023)

" I got several things from the SFW 2023; first I gained experience by working with a big team, and many models from different countries in the area of communication for such a big event which is most important in our career. second, I got many connections and for us models, we need more fashion houses and many agents to recognize us for future opportunities, so I was very happy to be part of the SFW 2023" said Umurisa

Even though Umurisa was pleased with the SFW2023 which was born and based in Tanzania, she thinks models in Rwanda are more advanced in terms of management and opportunities than the models in Tanzania. 

Rwanda's Top Model Gabriella Umurisa on the runway during the SFW 2023  (Photo SFW2023)

" I can say that models in Rwanda are a bit advanced more than the ones in Tanzania, let's say in terms of many modeling agencies. In Rwanda, we have many models who have been in the international fashion weeks, and we have many people who are involved in modeling like professional Modelscounters, and mother agencies. In Rwanda, we have many people who try to look more and more interested in models" said Umurisa 

According to the top model, Tanzania's modeling sector is still missing people who can see general interest in models and modeling in general. She described the situation where she said that whoever models are advanced and already established with a lot of connections in Tanzania continue to advance even more but the new and upcoming models still struggle to be sustainably established. 

Rwanda's Top Model Gabriella Umurisa on the runway during the SFW 2023  (Photo SFW2023)

" Tanzania has very good models and even inside their country, they have a better experience than some of ours but when it comes to the international scene, Rwanda's models are more experienced and have more opportunities. Another thing I saw, is we all have a uniqueness in the way we do modeling because we are also two different countries with different cultural values" said Umurisa 

Our journalist has asked Umurisa about the technical team, management, audience, stage, and logistics of the SFW2023

Rwanda's Top Model Gabriella Umurisa on the runway during the SFW 2023  (Photo SFW2023)

" About the stage, normally their stage is always bigger and credited internationally, but the 2023 edition. According to the chosen location which was small, the stage was short and a bit smaller compared to their previous editions. The event itself was well organized. People in Tanzania love fashion, fashion is within them, the event was set for 3 days but every day it was fully and mixture of citizens and foreigners. very happy and fashionable audience" said Umurisa 

The top model Umurisa describes the list of fashion designers who were showcased at the SFW 2023 as the best designers she had ever seen with unique and various collections. 

" Interesting for the list of the fashion designers who showcased in the SFW 2023, before being approved to showcase as a fashion designer, every fashion designer had to present her or his collection to get the feedback from the team in charge. When they found that your collection was not well designed and finished, and unique collection you couldn't get a chance to showcase. They had very good fashion designers who showcased unique outfits and were well organized " said Umurisa 

Rwanda's Top Model Gabriella Umurisa on the runway during the SFW 2023  (Photo SFW2023)

 Umurisa shares her views on the difference between Rwanda's fashion designers' creations and Tanzania's fashion designers' creations in terms of collections and target audience.

" Fashion designers in Tanzania specifically in Dar Salaam, have different target audiences. This is a beach area and hot, so fashion designers create easy outfits and flowing dresses for women and beach wear; like bikinis, and shorts for men. While in Rwanda our fashion designers mostly create outfits to wear in the offices, gala dinners, and sometimes they create depending on our cold and sometimes freezing weather" said Umurisa 

Rwanda's Top Model Gabriella Umurisa on the runway during the SFW 2023  (Photo SFW2023)

 Our journalist asked Rwanda's top model what is keeping her busy these days and what her plans are in 2024 where she said that she is in the process of establishing her owner clothing brand

" Currently, I am busy working on my clothing brand which is called" Gabriella Fashion House" and my team is busy creating my website and all the necessary before I confirm the launching date. Soon, I will share with you more about my clothing brand. The only thing is that I want to make it easier for fashion lovers so that can purchase online" said Umurisa. 

Collection made by Gabriella Fashion House (Photo Gabriella)

Collection made by Gabriella Fashion House (Photo Gabriella)

Collection made by Gabriella Fashion House (Photo Gabriella)

The SWF is the biggest and largest annual fashion event in East African countries providing a platform for fashion and accessory designers from Swahili speaking countries and beyond to showcase their talent, market their creativity, and network with clientele and the international fashion industry.

 SFW is among the continental fashion weeks (Photo  SFW2023)

SFW is among the continental fashion weeks (Photo  SFW2023)

SFW is among the continental fashion weeks (Photo  SFW2023)

The SWF aims to emphasize to the region that fashion is an income-generating creative industry, meanwhile promoting a Made in Africa concept. It was founded and created by a celebrated Pan-African couturier from Tanzania, Mustafa Hassanali in the year 2008.

Winners of the SFW 2023

Rwanda's Top Model Gabriella Umurisa journey in the fashion industry in Rwanda has been enjoyable as she has been participating in all big fashion weeks in the country such as the Kigali Fashion Week, Rwanda Fashion Week, Mercedes Benz Kigali Fashion Week, and many more. Umurisa sends a message to young and upcoming models who dream of making their dreams come true.

"I send a message to young and new upcoming models in Rwanda and Africa in general by saying that first, modeling is a love you love it. If you start and your focus is the money you will fail because you will not reach far. even us, we love modeling and that is what still keeps us doing it and we do love modeling. It is our passion. If you love modeling go for it, start early, and don't wait. But also, don't focus on modeling than your studies.  Your studies either in high school or in college should be the priority then do modeling" Said Umurisa, Rwanda's Top model. 

Collection made by Gabriella Fashion House (Photo Gabriella)

 The RCFS's Media