The annual fashion gala is organized to promote locally made outfits by local fashion designers and supporting local designers expose their fashion creativity to the international market. Among over 300 models who took part in Saturday’s catwalk selections in Kimihurura, only 40, including 25 girls, made it to the Grand Finale of the fashion event slated on June 21 at Kigali Serena Hotel.

The catwalk selection was attended by both local models and a small number of regional models, especially from Ethiopia, Uganda, and DRC.  John Bunyeshuri, the founder of Kigali Fashion Week, said this edition will be all about the uniqueness of Made-in-Rwanda outfits, adding that he trusts local fashion designers’ creativity will excite and impress the audience.

He said, “Our main focus is to contribute towards the promotion of Made-in-Rwanda using our platform to the international market. We have the platform, we have excellent designers and a good organizing team behind the event management, the rest is making history. I am confident people can only expect the best out of the event”

Height was among the top criteria considered during the selection where male models were supposed to be at least 1.80 m tall or above, while girls had to be at least 1.75 m or above, besides catwalks and fitting among others. The arguably biggest fashion event in Rwanda is expected to attract 14 local designers, who will be joined by African fashion designers trading their profession in different countries across the world, namely Uganda, Burundi, England, Kenya, Switzerland, Japan, USA, Germany, DRC, Spain, Nigeria, and Germany.

The international fashion designers were invited so local designers can learn creative experience from them so they can improve local fashion industry in terms of professionalism and innovation. Local designers who already confirmed to showcase their fashion outfits at this year’s edition of Kigali Fashion Week include locals like Cynthia Rupari’s Rupari Designs, Patrick Muhire, Delphine Uwamahoro, Ferooz Christian and Swiss-based designer Sol &Wax among others.

Kigali Fashion Week has seen the fast rise, going international after its fashion events to Europe in April, looking to expand Made-in-Rwanda promotion in Netherlands and Belgium. In September, the event will shift the focus to London before going to New York in December and Tokyo next year. According to the agenda, the three-day fashion event will kick off with a Cocktail Reception slated on the eve of the Kigali Fashion Week grand finale on June 22nd at Kigali Serena Hotel. A day later, designers will gather at Ubumwe Grande Hotel for a pop-up shop, where they will showcase their finest outfits at the exhibition.

Entrance at the event grand Finale is Rwf 15 000 for a single ticket and Rwf 25000 for couples.

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