Virtual Conference:  THE STATE OF EAST AFRICAN FASHION AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

In the photo, these are shoes made by UZURI K & Y,  made of recycled tires: UZURI K&Y is an African-inspired eco-friendly shoe brand that champions sustainability through its innovative use of the 4R technology: recycling, reusing, recovering, and reducing car tires to create eco-friendly footwear

 How far is the fashion industry in East Africa and how do fashion designers understand sustainable fashion?

 Event Overview 

Fashion Trends Africa by RCFS, represented by Celestin Ntawirema, presents a virtual conference focusing on the current state and future prospects of the East African fashion industry. This event will bring together fashion entrepreneurs, enthusiasts, and industry professionals for an insightful discussion on regional trends and sustainable practices. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in live discussions, share their views on the topics presented, and ask questions directly to the guest speakers and moderators.

Guest Speakers:

• Wyne KIRABO

Ugandan fashion designer, winner of the Asfas award 2022 as Best Emerging African Designer , speaker at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Barcelona, included in the list of "20 young african creatives to know" according to the multiawarded The Africa Report, nominated in the TOP 40 UNDER 40 list of Uganda's leading English language newpaper, New Vision, member of the jury FDP University of Girona/Qstura, who has dressed Diarra Diouf, starring actress of the film "Érase una vez en Canarias", at the premiere in Madrid (Spain), the singer Afrika Bibang at the Spanish National Performing Arts Awards Max 2021, the painter Bianca Nguema at the UN minority awards, among other celebrities, and who has appeared in media such as Fashion United, TV3, Rtve, Urban TV, etc.More info here.

Wyne Kirabo was founded by Winnie Kirabo and Gerard Porta in 2019. The creative designer majored in fashion design, pattern making and tailoring at the University of Girona (Spain) after her diploma in MicroFinance from Kyambogo University (Uganda).

• Franco KABANO

The founder and CEO of Webest Model Management and the founder & former President of Rwanda Fashion Models Union, has been in the industry for more than 10 years. He started modeling in 2004 but got on stage to model in 2006. However, the inconsistency in terms of fashion modeling gigs that he experienced, inspired him to think of ways to contribute to the modeling industry. In 2015, he set up a school of modeling to create a union that would bring all models together after I learned of the creation of the Rwanda Art Council at the Rwanda Academy of Languages and Culture.

Franco is the brain behind Rwanda Models Union which is a forum that brings Rwandan models together. He is also the founder and chairman of Webest Models Management a leading modeling agency in Rwanda that works with professional models. So far, the agency has promoted Rwandan models to take part in international fashion weeks such as London Fashion Week Paris Fashion, New York Fashion Week, and many others.

• Maximilien Kolbe HATEGEKIMANA

Maximilien Kolbe is a Rwandan fashion expert who specialize in education, trend forecasting, and circular economy with a proven track record working in the Rwandan fashion industry, dedicated to the elevation of the African fashion landscape and representing a new wave of African fashion creatives that is dispelling the image of poor quality and craftsmanship that is often associated with the continent.

He is a true grass to grace story working his way up from being a backpack clothes salesman to a fully-fledged businessman owning his own menswear brand, KOLBE. He built his experience gradually from fashion styling, sales and retailing of merchandise, and fashion designing to fashion consulting and now is a fashion researcher and now educator. Part of the team that developed the Rwandan TVET curriculum for Fashion design from level 1 to level 7.

He is the CO-CEO of Kuza Africa which is a community-driven hub in Kigali, dedicated to serving as a comprehensive resource center for "Made in Rwanda" creatives and fashion designers, offering unique workspaces and production capabilities. Starting by empowering their capacity and knowledge, and connecting them to opportunities. 

• Moderator: Celestin Ntawirema

Celestin Ntawirema is a multifaceted creative professional from Rwanda, working as an artist, filmmaker, and journalist. With over a decade of experience in the fashion industry, Ntawirema has established himself as a prominent figure in promoting African fashion and entrepreneurship. Ntawirema is the founder of the Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show, an event that showcases the rich cultural heritage and contemporary designs of Rwanda.

He also created Fashion Trends Africa, a news website dedicated to promoting both local and international African fashion designers. Expanding his influence in the creative sphere, Ntawirema founded and hosts the Made in Africa podcast. This platform brings authentic stories of African entrepreneurs to a global audience, highlighting innovation and success across the continent.

Currently, Ntawirema is collaborating with East African fashion designers to explore the role of sustainable fashion in the region. His work focuses on understanding how designers can promote sustainability and involve local communities in the process. Through his various initiatives, Celestin Ntawirema continues to be a passionate advocate for Made in Africa products and talent, contributing significantly to the visibility and growth of African fashion and entrepreneurship on the world stage.

Conference Highlights

• In-depth analysis of the East African fashion industry's current status
• Exploration of sustainable fashion practices in the region
• Insights and advice for emerging designers
• Interactive Q&A session with participants

Target Audience

• Fashion entrepreneurs
• Designers (established and emerging)
• Fashion enthusiasts
• Industry professionals
• Students of fashion and related fields

 Expected Outcomes

• Increased awareness of East African fashion trends
• Better understanding of sustainable practices in the industry
• Networking opportunities for participants
• Actionable insights for emerging designers

Key Details

• Date: October 16, 2024
• Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON (Kigali Time)
• Platform: Zoom and YouTube Live
• Admission: Free (Registration required)

To register for this enlightening event, please visit [Registration ]. Join us in shaping the future of East African fashion.  Contact us: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., WhatsApp: +250 789 182 665