Some people call him a consistent fashion designer Rwanda has ever had in the history of fashion designing. Patrick Muhire had been creating a signature style and maintaining a cohesive aesthetic across his collections. He was the first person to open a fashion house in Kigali the Ikanda House.

Patrick Muhire CEO and Creative Director, founder of Inkanda House (Photo Inkanda)

According to the experts in fashion, being a consistent fashion designer is key for the brand itself to stay competitive with other fashion brands " It involves staying true to your design principles, whether it's through your choice of colors, silhouettes, materials, or design elements. Consistency doesn't mean stagnation, though—evolving while maintaining that core essence can keep your designs fresh and exciting for your audience" Fashion Expert said

As we are celebrating Happy New Year's and holidays Inkanda House recently released a new collection entitled " NDABAGA SHENGE. During the interview, our journalists asked him what this collection is"all in black" and what message he has for fashion lovers as we end the year of 2023

New Umucyenyero from NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House, Model: Jolie Bwiza (Photo Inkanda)

Journalist: Can you share with fashion enthusiasts more about the NGABAGA SHENGE Collection and why you chose this name?

There are two main reasons why I created this collection NDABAGA SHENGE. One is to share the values and give respect to the Rwanda women at all levels and all women in the world generally. I dedicate this collection to them. Currently, the whole world is talking about the rights of women. why we should give respect and value to our mothers and sisters.

Now we know women can do what men can do. For example, women can be in military service, women can work on construction sites, and women can be fighters in one way or another. Referring to our history, we had a woman called NGABAGA who was born into a family as a single girl child. When she reached her teenage age, she heard that her father was not returning home because he did not have a person to replace him. According to the laws of the Kingdom of that time. To be able to return from servicing the kings, you have to have a son to replace you for retirement. So NDABAGA did the impossible when she removed her two breasts and trained for the battle with a single goal to save her father who was stuck because he had no son which she finally achieved.

We have many women who are doing the same thing as her, we have women who are widows no husbands anymore and they have families to feed. They don't stay home, they search for any available job even the ones to become manpower on the streets or road construction. We have women in every sector. In every job or working environment, you will find women in there. Today all women are NDABAGA, so my collection is for all women who stand up and do what men do to develop themselves, their families, and their countries.

The last is that even though women still do these jobs like men do, after they are done and return home. They still have their soft part as women to take care of the family like giving love to their kids by playing with them and breastfeeding them. This is why I added the word "SHENGE"

NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House (Photo Inkanda)

NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House (Photo Inkanda)

Journalist: Do you have any message do you have for fashion lovers as we end 2023?

I want to tell fashion lovers that fashion has no limit or no borders. Fashion styles change everyday life and even fashion repeats itself. Fashion styles go and always return. Fashion has tons of innovations where people will tell you" Oh this style used to be on hit our young ages" and others " Oh this style used to be on top in our wedding celebrations style"

I also want to ask fashion lovers. Don't limit yourselves in your mind to the point where you feel like there are where you must limit yourselves when you think of what to wear. Just go ahead and be flexible in choosing what to style. I believe if you really love fashion, you love your culture and you are curious to try others, you love to be fun, you love to be respectful, to see your legacy in fashion style, and you love to see yourself happy in your styles.

I am not saying people should leave their cultural values but I am saying we don't have to stick to our own culture when it comes to fashion. I also want to ask the public when you see people wearing their choice of fashion styling. Don't judge the book by its cover. For example, A woman can wear a very short dress and still be kind with a good heart discipline, and even be very intelligent. Allow people to express themselves through their fashion styles.

NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House (Photo Inkanda)

NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House (Photo Inkanda)

NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House (Photo Inkanda)

Journalist: Why did you choose to black color? 

Black makes you look fit, black is class, black is beautiful 

NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House (Photo Inkanda)

NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House (Photo Inkanda)

NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House (Photo Inkanda)

NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House (Photo Inkanda)

ALSO READ: Inkanda House Releases Ndabaga Collection

NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House (Photo Inkanda)

NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House (Photo Inkanda)

NDABAGA SHENGE collection Made by Ikanda House (Photo Inkanda)

"Dear fashion lovers this is your time, there is no other life for you to style. Life is sometimes short. Feel free to wear what you love in this life don't be intimidated by the eyes of those who may judge you. Inkanda House Team we wish you a Happy New Year" Message from Patrick Muhire the CEO and Creative Director of Inkanda House 

 By the RCFS's Media