RCFS
“I was a model for a very long time, so in the journey of modeling, I became a fashion show producer. So, when I was a model, I saw the need for fashion show production. Because many Years ago I had a modeling agency called black dust, I had models but they had no work. I had to create jobs for them” former Kenyan model Ingred AWUOR told the RCFS’s Media during the interview in Nairobi
Ingred Awuor former Kenyan model, CEO, and founder of Jazz and Fashion Experience and Creative Director at NILOTIKA clothing brand (PHOTO INGRED)
Fashion Industry in the East African countries is growing faster. This is seen through the number of local fashion designers already established in member countries. Some data from different sources state that in Kenya there are more than 150 local fashion designers with more than 30 who are well known fashion designers both locally and internationally. Walking around in Nairobi, you can see Kenyans adapting to wearing locally made clothes. It is clear that the fashion industry in Kenya is growing and continues to develop day by day.
Ingred Awuor former Kenyan model, CEO, and founder of Jazz and Fashion Experience and Creative Director at NILOTIKA clothing brand (PHOTO INGRED)
ALSO READ: 6 Kenyan Dominating Fashion Designers in 2023
There are many people and institutions who are making this Kenyan fashion industry grow and develop. These include women who continue to make the industry alive in the capital city Nairobi and other parts of the country by bringing unique ideas into the fashion industry. Ms Ingred Awuor is among the longest fashion entrepreneurs in Kenya who started as a model then to model coach, to fashion producer, and to become a fashion designer. The former model is the CEO and founder of the Jazz and Fashion Experience and she is also Creative Director at Nilotika clothing brand based in Nairobi.
Ingred Awuor former Kenyan model, CEO, and founder of Jazz and Fashion Experience and Creative Director at NILOTIKA clothing brand (PHOTO INGRED)
During the interview with the RCFS’Media Ms Ingred took us on her journey from being a model to becoming a fashion show producer and own a fashion brand. Our journalist asked her some questions about her journey and what advice to other women who dream of becoming future fashion show producers in Africa and other parts of the world.
Journalist: Who is Ingred in terms of fashion, what are your favorite colors?
In fashion, I have many favorite colors. I don’t even have my favorite colors, by the way, I am very diverse. I can not say I love red, I can't say I love.. because today you will find me in black and tomorrow you will find me in red and the other day you will find me in white. So I enjoy playing with colors, I don't have my favorite colors.
Ingred Awuor former Kenyan model, CEO, and founder of Jazz and Fashion Experience and Creative Director at NILOTIKA clothing brand (PHOTO INGRED)
Journalist: As a woman fashion show producer. What challenges do you face in your career and how do you overcome them?
It is a lot of challenges, first of all, the main challenge is to get sponsorship. If you are doing fashion show production, a fashion show should be a tool of marketing, so this tool of marketing is the tool that you need to share with corporate, companies and sponsors because you can't do it alone. So, it is hard to convince a sponsor to see your fashion show as a tool of marketing. This is the first challenge I am dealing with as a fashion show producer. Because you need to show the brand that this is the marketing exposure for you and they need to believe in you. so getting sponsorship is challenging sometimes.
Ingred Awuor former Kenyan model, CEO, and founder of Jazz and Fashion Experience and Creative Director at NILOTIKA clothing brand (PHOTO INGRED)
Journalist: How do you see the Kenyan fashion industry in terms of uniqueness and creativity?
I think right now where we are at, we have a movement called MADE IN KENYA, buy Kenya, wear Kenya. Where we are I can see fashion designers putting their efforts into creating unique collections. I can also see a lot of Kenyans continue to embrace that it is okay for me to wear an outfit made in Kenya rather than importing an outfit. So we are in a position where Kenyan fashion designers are showing a lot of creativity and a lot of hard work. Actually, most of my outfits in Walldrob are made in Kenya.
Model on the runway, during the Jazz and Fashion Experience 2023 in Nairobi (PHOTO JFE)
Call for fashion designers to showcase in the Jazz and Fashion Experience 2024
[ LISTEN TO A FULL PODCAST WITH INGRED AWUOR HERE ]
Journalist: What advice can you share with African women who dream of becoming future fashion show producers?
First, it is the mindset. You have to believe it before you achieve it. forget about your gender, forget about your background, and forget about who people think you are. So believe it, think about what you want to do, and believe in that thing you want to do. and go for that thing and start small. Star with what you have. I believe that nothing is unachievable
Ingred Awuor former Kenyan model, CEO, and founder of Jazz and Fashion Experience and Creative Director at NILOTIKA clothing brand (PHOTO INGRED)
" I would not judge these upcoming fashion shows that we had in 2023 because most of them didn't have enough budget to hire good lighting. No sponsors in fashion shows and this is a big issue for the fashion industry in general" An entertainment Journalist from the RBA told the RCFS's Media
Lighting plays a crucial role in fashion shows. It is one of the main tools to make a fashion show look more attractive to the audience who purchase tickets to watch a runway show. For the most, good lighting is very important for fashion designers and runway models while showcasing different collections on the runway to make sure the outfits are well seen by the audience.
Good lighting is very important for a fashion show [Photo Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show 2015]
Why is good lighting extremely important for a fashion show?
During the runway show, the lights play various roles such as highlighting garments that accentuate the details, colors, and textures of the clothing. It helps the audience appreciate the craftsmanship and design elements of each garment. Good lighting also sets the tone and ambiance of the show which creates a dramatic or intimate atmosphere, aligning with the designer's vision for the collection.
Professional lighting helps garments to be seen all as it is in colors and shapes [Photo Kigali Fashion Week 2015]
Furthermore, proper lighting is essential for capturing high-quality images and videos of the fashion show for photographers and videographers. It ensures that the garments and models are well-illuminated, making them more appealing for promotional purposes.
Why are fashion show events in Rwanda facing lighting and stage issues?
The year 2023 reminded event organizers and managers especially fashion show events the importance of having proper lighting and a good stage setup. Many people commented on the 2023 fashion shows in Rwanda. These include fashion enthusiasts, event organizers, and entertainment journalists who told the RCFS's Media that they were reminded to compare the quality of the 5 years ago fashion show events to the 2023 fashion shows.
Let's be honest fashion show events in Rwanda are going backward compared to the fashion shows that had been taking place in the years of 2015 and 2018. The quality of their stage setups, the lighting, and sponsorship is poor" An event organizer in Kigali told the RCFS's Media
Last year, Kigali the capital city hosted 4 fashion shows; the Stage Fashion Showcase 2023, Kigali Fashion Week 2023, RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023, and Gorilla Fashion Week 2023. The interesting part of the 2023 fashion show events, out of these 4 fashion shows, two of them happened on the same day which was the last Saturday of the year. On the evening of 30 December, the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 kicked off at Onomo Hotel Kigali while the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 took place at Century Park Hotel.
Photo: RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 at Onomo Hotel, in Kigali
Photo: Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 at Century Park Hotel, in Kigali
Before these two fashion shows, in May we had the Stage Fashion Showcase which took place at the Marriot Hotel Kigali. This upcoming fashion event was highly organized with more than 7 well-organized fashion designers both local and international. However, the number of attended audiences was not as it was expected according to the organizers and commentators who talked to the RCFS's Media about the last year's fashion show events.
Photo: The Stage Fashion Showcase 2023 at Marriott Hotel in Kigali
Another fashion show event that occurred in 2023 was the Kigali Fashion Week which took place at the BK Arena, on 15th December where new collaborations between farmers and fashion designers showcased a very attractive show where a combination of flowers and fashion impressed the audience.
Photo: Kigali Fashion Week 2023 at BK Arena in Kigali
ALSO READ: THE UNIQUENESS OF COMBINING A FASHION SHOW WITH FLOWERS BY THE KIGALI FASHION WEEK 2023
Even though some of these fashion events still surviving especially the Kigali Fashion Week which was founded in 2012 but people who talked to the RCFS's Media said that things are going backward;
" Try to check the photos of the CollectiveRw/ Rwanda Fashion Week editions and even Mercedes Benz Kigali Fashion Week editions. It is totally different. I was expecting the Gorilla Fashion Week to be a big fashion week but the last 1 hour before the show ended, many people were already left. Their stage set up was not really convincing" a fashion enthusiast told the RCFS's Media
Photo: Gorilla Fashion Week 2023
It is clear that fashion shows without proper lighting miss uniqueness as well as the memorable from fashion lovers or audiences. Not only the lithing making a fashion show looking good but also a good stage. A good stage in a fashion show is critical for several reasons; It enhancespresentation and serves as the focal point where models showcase the designer's creations. A well-designed stage provides a platform that amplifies the aesthetic appeal of the garments. The stage design, including its backdrop, props, and overall setup, can reflect the brand's identity and the theme of the collection. It reinforces the narrative or inspiration behind the designs.
Photo: Rwanda Fashion Week 2022
Photo: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kigali
" I want to tell these new and upcoming fashion show organizers to think twice before organizing a fashion show. No matter what your fashion event has its requirements. Don't just call fashion designers before you are sure that you have all you need and that is the money" An event organizer in Kigali told the RCFS's Media
Photo: Kigali Fashion Week 2023 is the only event that built a stage in 2023
Rwanda's fashion industry was doing well before the COVID-19 pandemic but the industry was impacted in all its sectors from fashion designers, and models as well as fashion show event organizers. According to the Africa Development Bank, the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic on global value chains and its impact on African businesses is already evident. As factories close their doors and border closures and travel restrictions interrupt supply chains, the workers - the most vulnerable and lowest-paid people in the fashion supply chain – have been left to feel the worst effects.
Ms. Oliva Umuhire is a fashion lover who lives in Kigali, she thinks that the Rwanda government needs to bring its input as the fashion industry continues to struggle with the impacts of the COVID-19
" Fashion entrepreneurs are doing the best they can to keep fashion and made in Rwanda alive. However, I don't see how the fashion industry can continue to survive without the government being involved in one way or another. For Example, Kigali Fashion Week used to be a big show that made Kigalians love fashion and have curiosity about fashion in general. I remember their show in 2015" Ms Umuhire told the RCFS's Media
Photo: Kigali Fashion Week 2015
Other people see the lack of collaboration among local fashion designers and fashion entrepreneurs as the source of not being able to escape from COVID-19's impacts.
"Everyone wants to work individually which is fine but to have good fashion shows in the future, Let's say instead of having many small fashion shows why not collaborate to host one fashion week that can bring all fashion designers together as well as the fashion entrepreneurs such event organizers, and models. They need to come together to find solutions for their issues which I believe will bring impact as union produce more force " said Ms. Moniah Uwimbabazi an expert in a fashion fashion show and event management
Photo: The Stage Fashion Showcase 2023
ALSO READ: INTERNATIONAL MODEL EVELINE GONZENBACH TO BOOST FASHION AND MODELING INDUSTRY IN RWANDA
"Select the one that resonates with your style and captures the essence of your dressing greatness" by Franco Kabano, Rwanda's former and professional model
Franco Kabano styling the new collection 2024 made by Matheo Studio
Through his Facebook Page, Mr. Franco Kabano shared his 10 fashion tips dedicated to his followers and fashion lovers in general. The former model has been partnering with many different local fashion designers to promote their new collections as well as his personal orders as he is one the top male fashionable models Rwanda has ever had.
Franco Kabano styling the new collection 2024 made by Matheo Studio
Since 2022, Mr. Franco started working and partnering with Matheo Studio founded by Maurice Matheo. This is a luxury clothing brand based in Rwanda that has been raising emotions because of its unique creativity behind clothes made by Matheo Studio.
ALSO READ: WHERE DO MATHEO AND FRANCO GET THOSE FASHION IDEAS? 50 FASHION TRENDING STYLES IN RWANDA
These are 10 fashion tips by Kabano Franco mixed with the unique collections styled by Maurice Matheo creative Director at Matheo Studio.
1. Fashion is about dressing according to what’s fashionable and style is more about being yourself.
Franco Kabano styling collection 2023 made by Matheo Studio
2. Life’s too short to wear boring clothes.
Franco Kabano styling collection 2023 made by Matheo Studio
3. Dressed to impress? Nah, dressed to feel awesome.
Franco Kabano styling collection 2023 made by Matheo Studio
4. Elegance is the only beauty that never fades.
Franco Kabano styling collection 2022 made by Matheo Studio
5. Confidence is the best outfit, rock it, own it.
Franco Kabano styling (black and white boots) collection 2022 made by Matheo Studio
6. Dress how you want to be addressed.
Franco Kabano styling collection 2023 made by Matheo Studio
7. Clothes aren’t going to change the world, but the person wearing them might.
Franco Kabano styling collection 2023 made by Matheo Studio
8. Fashion is an instant language, let your style speak volumes.
Franco Kabano styling collection 2023 made by Matheo Studio
9. Wearing my confidence, accessorized with a strong face.
Franco Kabano styling collection 2022 made by Matheo Studio
10. Fashion is art, and you are the canvas.
Franco Kabano styling the new collection 2024 made by Matheo Studio
ALSO READ: It is Summertime in the USA " Rwanda's popular and fashionable male model in shorts
Cheap China-made African print wax brands have been present in markets on the continent for decades, initially as badly-made replicas, but increasingly, as high-quality alternatives.
Accra, Ghana – On a weekday this December, the fabrics section at Accra’s frenzied Makola market was unusually quiet for the festive end-of-year period. Female traders with big woven hats sat in front of their stalls chatting and tiredly swatting away flies. Behind them, colourful African wax textiles were stacked in rows from ground to ceiling, waiting to be bought.
Vida Yeboah, one of the traders, said the stalls would normally be teeming with customers hunting for the latest designs to take to their tailors to cut up and sew into different styles from wide-mouthed A-Line dresses, to tops and skirts, for the New Year festivities. But Ghana’s shaky economy has forced many to shun that tradition.
“Since COVID, schools have started resuming in December and that means most people are thinking of how their sons and daughters would go to school,” the 55-year-old said. Schools are usually on holiday in December, but schedules for many schools changed after the long pandemic break. “Now, there is no money. People prefer to spend on other things, or they will go and buy the small ones.”
The ‘small’ brands Yeboah refers to are the much cheaper versions of African wax print that have flooded markets in Ghana and across Africa for years now, and that are giving “original” manufacturers tough competition. Imported from China, the fabrics often carry designs imitating more established brands and sell for between a third, to a tenth of the price. Some are outright counterfeits, claiming in typo-ridden labels to be recognisable brands.
But although these Chinese-made fabrics get a bad rap, some say they are increasingly of good quality, with their gaudy designs becoming more chic, and their colours no longer fading after a wash.
“Some people say it is good,” Yeboah said. “That original is too costly, even I myself, I don’t sell it,” she added, pointing to her stock. She sells Hitarget, a popular China-made brand seen as a high quality, cheaper alternative to big names, and that’s way ahead in the “smalls” range.
“This one is 90 cedis ($8), people can afford that one,” Yeboah said, picking up a blue and orange print with geometric designs. “If one doesn’t have the money for big ones, the person will at least buy something before leaving the market.”
A section of Ankara fabric at Makola market, Accra, Ghana [Shola Lawal/Al Jazeera]
Made in the Netherlands, loved in Africa
Known mostly as Ankara, the origins of the colourful fabric that has come to embody the very essence of African-ness on the continent, and for diasporans looking to stay connected to their roots, is not African itself.
The material was born when Dutch tradesmen in the 1800s attempted to mechanically mass-produce the intricate, hand-made designs of Javanese batik prints native to the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. The designs, made with a wax-resist dyeing method that left equal colour intensity on both sides of plain cotton spreads, didn’t catch on. But European printers soon found that their invention was getting unexpected attention somewhere else – in Africa.
Several Europeans including 22-year-old Pieter Fentener van Vlissingen, a Dutch manufacturer, started to produce the material in bales, cutting them up by the yard, and shipping them to bustling cities like Accra, where traders from other countries would travel to buy them. The myth goes that the name “Ankara” came from Hausa traders across West Africa attempting to call the fabric by where they bought it from – Accra.
In West and Central Africa, the boldly coloured cloth kickstarted a style revolution. People, especially women, wore the material everywhere – weddings, naming ceremonies, burials. Soon, the new fabric edged out indigenous materials like the earthy blue tye-dye Adire of the Yorubas in Nigeria and the flashy, hand-woven Kente of the Ashanti and Ewes of Ghana, which were heavier and not suitable for everyday wear like Ankara.
Vlissengen’s company was at the forefront of the new era.
“African women just embraced it,” Perry Oosting, the CEO of Vlissengen’s company, now called Vlisco, told Al Jazeera from the Helmond office. “They loved the brighter colors and they saw that the quality was better than what was available in the market compared to other imported goods, so that’s how it started. They embraced it and they also gave stories to it.”
After 177 years, the brand has gone on to become the most popular wax print maker on the continent, painting itself as the ‘original’ luxury brand, amid a sea of fake and counterfeit China-made copies. Six yards of Vlisco costs as high as 220 cedis ($200) but imitations cost much less. That though, Oosting said, could be to the brand’s advantage
“If you’re successful, you’re being copied, and it keeps us alert to continue to innovate and to be creative,” Oosting said. Vlisco, the CEO added, has no plans to lower prices, despite Ghana’s tight economy, soaring inflation in Nigeria, and the weakening of the Congolese Franc. Instead, it has invested in trademarking its designs using QR codes and has even trained customs officers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a major market for the brand, to spot counterfeits.
“We’ve been through so much over the years, we’ve seen coup d’etats and actually, we have built some resilience,” Oosting said, adding that the pandemic, and the Ebola outbreaks that wracked the DRC were one of the brand’s toughest times. “What we are not doing is starting to discount because we have our product DNA that needs to be secured. Yes, the market is difficult but we want to keep our quality because we are not here for the next six months, we are here for the next decade, the next century.”
A man selling unsewn fabrics locally known as ‘Ankara’ walks through a street at Agege district in Lagos, Nigeria June 22, 2016 [Akintunde Akinleye/Reuters]
The Nana Benz era
In those early days of the African wax print, entrepreneurial African women worked with European manufacturers like Vlisco to come up with beautiful new patterns that also carried meaning and that the women bought exclusive distribution rights to.
In Togo, where the market had moved to because of Kwame Nkrumah’s protectionist policies in Ghana, the “Nana Benzes” became particularly skilled at monopolising prints. The group of several women traders were crucial to the success of Vlisco.
“We got so much feedback from the market through them,” Oosting of Vlisco said. “They were not just business partners, they were partners.”
Nana Benzes went on to be so successful between the 1960s – 1980s that they became some of the first female millionaires in Togo, the only ones able to afford luxurious Mercedes Benz cars, thus earning them their nicknames.
Now though, the Nana Benzes have been forgotten as Ankara production has moved to China.
So, too, have the local wax print brands that crept up in the mid-20th century – Africa’s independence era – in an attempt to localise the production of Ankara, to claim it fully as African and break the domination of European printers like Vlisco which still produces in the Netherlands.
In 1966, Ghana launched the Ghana Textiles Printing Company (GTP), with the government having majority stake. Around the same time, Akosombo Textiles Limited (ATL), particularly popular for its Adinkra symbols borrowed from the Gyamans ethnic group, also came on the scene. In Nigeria, the United Nigerian Textile Mills (UNTL) partnered with the Cha Group in Hong Kong to open a mill in northern Kaduna state. In Ivory Coast, Uniwax was birthed – a partnership between the Ivorian government and Unilever, the British consumer goods manufacturer.
But a cocktail of issues including government policies, counterfeits, a lack of infrastructure and the unavailability of locally sourced cotton, forced many printers to shutter or sell out, costing hundreds of textile workers their jobs.
GTP and Uniwax are now subsidiaries of Vlisco. Oostings of Vlisco says although its subsidiaries produce locally, Vlisco itself has no immediate plans to move manufacturing from Helmond to the continent.
Some brands are aiming to once again localise production but face similar issues.
Lome’s Wina Wax is designed locally but manufactured in China because of a lack of electricity, Marlene Adanlete-Djondo, the founder and a Nana Benz descendant, told Jeune Afrique. Producing in China is an attempt to adapt at all costs, while offering reasonable prices.
“Uniwax in Côte d’Ivoire and GTP in Ghana were bought by Vlisco certainly due to a lack of financial contributions,” Adanlete-Djondo said. “We do not want such a future for Wina Wax.”
Soft to the touch
As all sorts of smalls flood the market, it’s harder to distinguish between which is a good small or which is a bad small.
In Makola, young women arrange rolled-up “Smalls” on flat trays balanced on their heads and hawk them around. All the brands carry words like “Guaranteed” or “Real wax” on their edges.
But Augustina Otoo, a fashion designer in Accra said it’s the feel of the Ankara fabric, the flexibility of it, that often tells which ones are high quality and which ones are substandard, regardless of the name, brand or words printed on the cloth.
Most cheap imports use cheaper grades of cotton for production, and even mix the cotton with fabrics like polyester, whereas, authentic loinclothes are wholly cotton, Otoo, 26, added. Where quality Ankara fabric is soft to touch and yields under the heat of an iron, some smalls lack such mouldability, making them a pain to sew into the elaborate styles customers demand.
“Some of them are just like rubber, some of them even feel like paper,” Otoo said, laughing at her own analogy. “I’ve sewn a lot of them. When you’re ironing, it’s so stiff, it crumples. And when you want to straighten it, it just remains stiff. They put some shiny stuff on it that fades when you wash it. It doesn’t even last up to three months.”
But that hasn’t stopped her customers from buying them.
“This season especially, we’ve seen a lot of new designs in the small ones,” Otoo said. There’s little she can do to convince her customers to buy more authentic brands, she added. “Me, I just provide the service and collect my money.”
On its first edition, the RIFI Dance and Fashion 2023 surprised the audiences where fashion and dance met for the first time in Kigali. The event took place on Saturday, 30 December at the Onomo Hotel Kigali. It brought together local talented fashion designers, dancers, and models.
Made in Rwanda clothes were among those showcased at the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
After the event, Mr. Ri Koni Yocan the CEO and founder of RIFI Entertainment which is the organizer of the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 told the Inyarwanda newspaper that he was happy with the outcome and promised the second edition in this year 2024 to be even better than the 2023's edition.
Ri Kon Yocan CEO and founder of the RIFI Fashion Agency the winner of Best Agency 2023
"Our event went well even though it was a bit rainy for some hours. It was not 100% but we did it and all went well. I want to thank my team and everyone who participated in this year's edition. I also want to tell the audience that this year's edition will be even better than the 2023's edition" said Mr. Ri Koni Yocan the CEO and founder of RIFI Entertainment
Made in Rwanda outfit showcased during the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
Made in Rwanda outfit showcased during the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
ALSO READ: WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE RIFI DANCE AND FASHION SHOW 2023? THIS SATURDAY, 30 DECEMBER
Made in Rwanda outfit showcased during the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
Made in Rwanda outfit showcased during the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
Made in Rwanda outfit showcased during the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
ALSO READ: RIFI Fashion Agency is the number one modeling agency in Rwanda
Made in Rwanda outfit showcased during the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
Made in Rwanda outfit showcased during the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
Made in Rwanda outfit showcased during the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
Made in Rwanda outfit showcased during the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
Made in Rwanda outfits showcased during the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
Made in Rwanda outfit showcased during the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
Made in Rwanda outfit showcased during the RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
RIFI Dancing Crew /RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
RIFI Dancing Crew /RIFI Dance and Fashion Show 2023 (Photo Inyarwanda)
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
"I see a bright and promising future for the fashion industry in Rwanda. With a growing focus on local talent, sustainability, and embracing diverse voices, I envision a dynamic landscape where Rwandan fashion designers gain global recognition, and the industry becomes a hub of innovation, inclusivity, and conscious fashion choices" said the International Model Eveline Gonzenbach who is working with the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023
The international fashion, beauty, and lifestyle model Eveline Gonzenbach (Photo Eveline)
Fashion lovers in Kigali can’t wait to attend the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023. The event will bring together fashion enthusiasts to celebrate made in Rwanda and made in Africa to the world. The event which has started today, it will feature both young and upcoming local fashion designers as well as models.
The most important part of the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 that brings curiosity to the fashion lovers around in Kigali, is the team and participants behind this event. Among them includes the international model Eveline Gonzenbach who is also among the guest speakers of Today's session that will take place at the IPRC Kigali.
“This is a great opportunity for the fashion industry in Rwanda to receive a professional international fashion, beauty, and lifestyle model like Ms Eveline Gonzenbach. I believe all those young and upcoming models will run a lot from her which will guide them for their future contracts” Placide Ngirinshuti told the RCFS’s Media.
The international fashion, beauty, and lifestyle model Eveline Gonzenbach (Photo Eveline)
According to the information from the organizers of the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023, the international model will be part of their first edition scheduled this Saturday, 30 December at Century Park Hotel. During the interview with the RCFS's Media, we have asked Eveline Gonzenbach some questions about the fashion industry in general and what her expectations are from the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023.
Journalist: Can you share your fashion experience?
I started my modeling career in 2019 in Dubai. I am very proud to have worked for renowned brands such as Huda Beauty, Emirates Palace, La Marquise Jewelry, Ekadot Boutique, Moniritta Design, Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt, and Neoque Magazine.
In summer 2022 I have been selected to join the famous Coco Rocha Model Camp in New York. Models of all age groups and origins intended to learn the secrets of modeling by Coco Rocha herself. This experience was something I did to expand my knowledge in modeling, but also to go out of my comfort zone, gain more confidence, and become a better version of myself.
Journalist: What are your expectations from the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023?
My expectations from the Gorilla Fashion Week are high, given the incredible talent and creativity that I have witnessed within the fashion community in Kigali.
My hope is that the event will not only inspire fashion enthusiasts but also contribute to the growth and recognition of Rwanda’s fashion industry on a global scale. I anticipate an atmosphere of creativity, collaboration and celebration of the unique spirit that defines fashion in Kigali.
Ultimately, I expect Gorilla Fashion Week to exceed expectations, leaving a lasting impact on both the local fashion scene and the broader industry.
Journalist: What is your role at the event?
As a model, I am the face behind the brand. The women/men who walk the runway have the power to inspire editors, buyers, and fashion lovers to covet a particular piece. My hope is to contribute to the success and vibrancy of Gorilla Fashion Week 2023.
The international fashion, beauty, and lifestyle model Eveline Gonzenbach (Photo Eveline)
Journalist: Have you met local fashion designers and models?
Yes, I had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented designer from Umuheto Fashion House. Working closely with him was a remarkable experience that allowed me to immerse myself in their unique and inspiring designs.
Additionally, through various castings and runway trainings, I had the opportunity to connect and build relationships with a diverse array of models. These interactions have not only expanded my professional network but have also fostered a sense of camaraderie within the industry. It’s a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines events like Gorilla Fashion Week, where designers and models come together to create something truly extraordinary.
Journalist: What can you tell fashion lovers who want to buy tickets to attend the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023?
I would encourage fashion lovers to secure their tickets for Gorilla Fashion Week for an unforgettable experience. The event not only showcases designs and trends but also provides a platform to support local talent and sustainable fashion initiatives.
It’s not just a fashion show, it’s an opportunity to be part of a cultural movement shaping the future of fashion in Kigali and beyond.
The international fashion, beauty, and lifestyle model Eveline Gonzenbach during the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 press conference (Photo INYARWANDA)
ALSO READ: TO SUPPORT UPCOMING FASHION DESIGNERS AND MODELS: GORILLA FASHION WEEK 2023
Journalist: Do you have a message to share with fashion lovers in Africa?
Absolutely! I would like to encourage all fashion lovers to embrace and celebrate the incredible diversity of styles and cultures across the continent. Africa’s fashion is more than just clothing; it’s a reflection of heritage, creativity, and innovation.
Let’s continue to support local designers, sustainable practices, and inclusive representations in fashion. Together we can amplify Africa’s influence on the global fashion stage and inspire a more diverse and vibrant industry for generations to come.
The international fashion, beauty, and lifestyle model Eveline Gonzenbach (Photo Eveline)
"I see a bright and promising future for the fashion industry in Rwanda. With a growing focus on local talent, sustainability, and embracing diverse voices, I envision a dynamic landscape where Rwandan fashion designers gain global recognition, and the industry becomes a hub of innovation, inclusivity, and conscious fashion choices" said the International Model Eveline Gonzenbach who is working with the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023
The international fashion, beauty, and lifestyle model Eveline Gonzenbach (Photo Eveline)
Fashion lovers in Kigali can’t wait to attend the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023. The event will bring together fashion enthusiasts to celebrate made in Rwanda and made in Africa to the world. The event which has started today, it will feature both young and upcoming local fashion designers as well as models.
The most important part of the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 that brings curiosity to the fashion lovers around in Kigali, is the team and participants behind this event. Among them includes the international model Eveline Gonzenbach who is also among the guest speakers of Today's session that will take place at the IPRC Kigali.
“This is a great opportunity for the fashion industry in Rwanda to receive a professional international fashion, beauty, and lifestyle model like Ms Eveline Gonzenbach. I believe all those young and upcoming models will run a lot from her which will guide them for their future contracts” Placide Ngirinshuti told the RCFS’s Media.
The international fashion, beauty, and lifestyle model Eveline Gonzenbach (Photo Eveline)
According to the information from the organizers of the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023, the international model will be part of their first edition scheduled this Saturday, 30 December at Century Park Hotel. During the interview with the RCFS's Media, we have asked Eveline Gonzenbach some questions about the fashion industry in general and what her expectations are from the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023.
Journalist: Can you share your fashion experience?
I started my modeling career in 2019 in Dubai. I am very proud to have worked for renowned brands such as Huda Beauty, Emirates Palace, La Marquise Jewelry, Ekadot Boutique, Moniritta Design, Park Hyatt and Grand Hyatt, and Neoque Magazine.
In summer 2022 I have been selected to join the famous Coco Rocha Model Camp in New York. Models of all age groups and origins intended to learn the secrets of modeling by Coco Rocha herself. This experience was something I did to expand my knowledge in modeling, but also to go out of my comfort zone, gain more confidence, and become a better version of myself.
Journalist: What are your expectations from the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023?
My expectations from the Gorilla Fashion Week are high, given the incredible talent and creativity that I have witnessed within the fashion community in Kigali.
My hope is that the event will not only inspire fashion enthusiasts but also contribute to the growth and recognition of Rwanda’s fashion industry on a global scale. I anticipate an atmosphere of creativity, collaboration and celebration of the unique spirit that defines fashion in Kigali.
Ultimately, I expect Gorilla Fashion Week to exceed expectations, leaving a lasting impact on both the local fashion scene and the broader industry.
Journalist: What is your role at the event?
As a model, I am the face behind the brand. The women/men who walk the runway have the power to inspire editors, buyers, and fashion lovers to covet a particular piece. My hope is to contribute to the success and vibrancy of Gorilla Fashion Week 2023.
The international fashion, beauty, and lifestyle model Eveline Gonzenbach (Photo Eveline)
Journalist: Have you met local fashion designers and models?
Yes, I had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented designer from Umuheto Fashion House. Working closely with him was a remarkable experience that allowed me to immerse myself in their unique and inspiring designs.
Additionally, through various castings and runway trainings, I had the opportunity to connect and build relationships with a diverse array of models. These interactions have not only expanded my professional network but have also fostered a sense of camaraderie within the industry. It’s a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines events like Gorilla Fashion Week, where designers and models come together to create something truly extraordinary.
Journalist: What can you tell fashion lovers who want to buy tickets to attend the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023?
I would encourage fashion lovers to secure their tickets for Gorilla Fashion Week for an unforgettable experience. The event not only showcases designs and trends but also provides a platform to support local talent and sustainable fashion initiatives.
It’s not just a fashion show, it’s an opportunity to be part of a cultural movement shaping the future of fashion in Kigali and beyond.
The international fashion, beauty, and lifestyle model Eveline Gonzenbach during the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 press conference (Photo INYARWANDA)
ALSO READ: TO SUPPORT UPCOMING FASHION DESIGNERS AND MODELS: GORILLA FASHION WEEK 2023
Journalist: Do you have a message to share with fashion lovers in Africa?
Absolutely! I would like to encourage all fashion lovers to embrace and celebrate the incredible diversity of styles and cultures across the continent. Africa’s fashion is more than just clothing; it’s a reflection of heritage, creativity, and innovation.
Let’s continue to support local designers, sustainable practices, and inclusive representations in fashion. Together we can amplify Africa’s influence on the global fashion stage and inspire a more diverse and vibrant industry for generations to come.
The international fashion, beauty, and lifestyle model Eveline Gonzenbach (Photo Eveline)
The first edition of the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 is organized in partnership with the IPRC Kigali and the Rwanda Fashion Models Union [RFMU]. The Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 is scheduled for 29th December (at the IPRC Kigali) and on the 30th at Century Park Hotel in Kigali City.
A participant in Today's press conference of the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 (PHOTO INYARWANDA)
In today's brief press conference and updates about the event. According to the organizers, this event aims to support the upcoming local fashion designers as well as the models to showcase their talents in fashion design and modeling.
Hakizimana Hubert Didier -Event Organizer Team member Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 (PHOTO INYARWANDA)
The organizers continue saying that they started this event after their research which revealed that there are many talented fashion designers and runway models who don't have a platform where to showcase their work and creations. They added that most fashion shows had been organized in Rwanda and fashion programs most focused on those who are professional and already established.
ALSO READ: Official Launch - What Should Models Expect from the Rwanda Fashion Models Union [RFMU]
There will be also an exhibition for different vendors of Made in Africa
It is expected more than 20 fashion designers will showcase their designs with 45 runway models who will present unique fashion styles according to the organizers.
Participants who will be showcasing in the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 during the press conference (PHOTO INYARWANDA)
International Model Eveline GONZENBANCH during the press conference (PHOTO INYARWANDA)
International Model Eveline GONZENBANCH will showcase at the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 (PHOTO EVeline's Instagram AC)
International Model Eveline GONZENBANCH will showcase at the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 (PHOTO EVeline's Instagram AC)
Mr. Jambo Jean D'Amour- Head of Creative Arts in IPRC Kigali, during the press conference (PHOTO INYARWANDA)
The participant who will be showcasing in the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 during the press conference (PHOTO INYARWANDA)
The participant who will be showcasing in the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 during the press conference (PHOTO INYARWANDA)
The participant who will be showcasing in the Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 during the press conference (PHOTO INYARWANDA)
Hakizimana Hubert Didier -Event Organizer Team member Gorilla Fashion Week 2023 (PHOTO INYARWANDA)
The RFMU is a non-government organization founded by former models headed by Kabano Franco in collaboration with other models with a primary mission of working with models and Agencies to help them in Advocacy, Education, and Promotion. Learn More about the event here
Currently president of the Rwanda Fashion Models Union[RFMU] Mr. Mutabazi Wa Charm who replaced Mr. Kabano Franco who resigned from the leader of this model unions
The Utexrwa is the oldest local fabric manufacturer. As the only large-scale textile mill in Rwanda, UTEXRWA plays a critical role in establishing the local textile and apparel value chain, developing a large skilled labor force, contributing to import substitution, and meeting the local demands of security forces and others.
Employee inside the UTEXRWA ( PHOTO- Diana Zeyneb)
Utexrwa offers its client's mass production from an extensive line of over varieties of garments and made-ups produced from cotton, synthetic and blended fabrics for protective clothing and accessories to meet the needs of everyday wear and tear in the defence, fire fighting, medical, school, commercial, home and industrial workforce, as well as eco-friendly home furnishings to protect you from dust , heat, water and infectious bacteria.
Employee inside the UTEXRWA ( PHOTO- Diana Zeyneb)
Utexrwa buys its cotton from Uganda and Tanzania, its chemicals are from India, dyes from Europe, and Polyester from China, India, and Indonesia, which all drive up costs. The most direct competitors to UTEXRWA are coming from outside Africa. UTEXRWA has advantages in meeting local market demands for customization, timely delivery, and service. Given the investment capital required to start a textile mill in Rwanda, local competition for high-volume garment production is unlikely in the near term.
According to the management of the UTEXRWA, the primary focus will remain on institutional garment production. Producing at larger volumes allows the company to maximize profits and avoid artisan competitors. Developing a sales campaign and sales force for the school market is essential for the fragmented market share of this segment.
In 2018 the Utexrwa won the Rwanda Defense Force-RDF uniform tender, urged to produce more
UTEXRWA Updates in December 2023
UTEXRWA, Rwanda’s only textile producing company has secured a $400,000 that will facilitate the production of at least 70, 000 malaria bed nets. These will make the company the only textile firm that manufactures the treated bio-nets for local people. “We are ready to produce the first 70,000 nets in two weeks time from now and we produce the second phase in May 2010. Another 70,000 nets.” said Raj Rajendran Utexrwa’s Managing Director in an interview with The New Times.
Employee inside the UTEXRWA ( PHOTO- Diana Zeyneb)
The project has been boosted by support from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Bralirwa, and the Ministry of Health which have provided technical and financial support. Rajendran revealed that the production line has already been installed and technicians have been undergoing training. According to Rajendran, their ultimate target is to invest $12 million in 3-4 years with an aim of employing 2,000 employees from the current 740.
He revealed that the project will have the capacity to produce over 12 million nets per year for local and the export markets. He also said that there is a huge demand on the continent this year and hence Rwanda will have a capacity of producing for local and regional export.
John Peter Moll currently the Thailand Textile Institute advisor, said that UTEXRWA has all it takes to manufacture the nets. Peter Moll was sponsored by UNIDO Rwanda as an expert to offer technical advise. “I’m very confident that Rwanda will be able to run the project and UTEXRWA has good environment for the project as it has been having good progress in its products,” Peter Moll said.
He further said that Rwanda will be the only country to produce long lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINS) which have high demand.
Employee inside the UTEXRWA ( PHOTO- Diana Zeyneb)
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