Fashion Rwanda – Rwanda’s fashion and style blog. Powered by RWANDA CLOTHING. http://fashionrwanda.com

One thing that was very remarkable on the female models in the RWANDA CLOTHING fashion show on the 24^th February 2017 was the impressive hairstyles. I like ponytails when it comes to hairstyles, that’s why I asked around for the person who was in charge of the hair. I was informed that all the praises are to “Marina Bella Natural Hair Salon & Cosmetics” here in Kigali. I couldn’t help but pay a visit to this salon.

Upon my arrival, I was warmly welcomed by Mrs. Alexanderia Haidara, the managing director of “Marina Bella Natural Hair Salon & Cosmetics”. First thing I noticed was the African style of the interior design of her salon. From the furniture to the décor, passing by the uniforms of her employees – everything was designed with an African touch. In this good atmosphere we had then an interesting conversation about her experience with the fashion show. Here is what she said about the show and the hairstyles:

What were your impressions about the last RWANDA CLOTHING fashion show?

I really enjoyed the show. It gave me a different idea about African fabrics and how to use them to have a modern look. It’s like a fusion between Western and African way of dressing. It was great and there were a lot of people there. We really enjoyed participating in the show by showing what we can do on the hair side, because hair is fashion too.

What went on when you were working with the models?

We spent some time with them at the salon. It was great to work with them, and some had already been to our salon before. They liked the work that we do, the reputation and the products we use.

How would you describe the hairstyle that you did with the models?

Joselyne of RWANDA CLOTHING wanted a high ponytail. We used extensions, straightened and sleek the hair to a high ponytail. Some of the girls had short hair, so we couldn’t do everyone a ponytail but the rest had long enough hair. They were looking really professional!

How was it working with RWANDA CLOTHING?

We’ve been open for a year and Joselyne was one of our first customers. We were always trying to figure out a way to partner. Then, one of her models told us that they were preparing a fashion show. I contacted them and told them I wanted to help with the hairstyles. Joselyne was very open and supported the idea, as it was a platform for us to show the work that we do. We had a good experience with them and I’d definitely want to work with RWANDA CLOTHING again in the future.

The professionalism and uniqueness that I witnessed at the salon left me with a sense of satisfaction. I am now thinking about taking my lady there for her next hairdo! I’m grateful that Alexanderia hosted me, hoping to see her amazing work again soon.

You tube Commerical: http://youtu.be/HtFnZLjyRkk

Facebook: http://facebook.com/Marina-Bella-Natural-Hair-Salon-and-Cosmetics-1460459110867474

Instagram: Marina Bella Natural Hair Salon

2017 just marked the 5^th year of existence of RWANDA CLOTHING. On the climax of this cherished 5^th anniversary, a fashion show was organized to showcase the SPRING 2017 collection – a “Best-of-5-Years-RWANDA CLOTHING-Collection” that features the new style of the most popular designs from 2012 to 2017. This awesome event took place on Friday, 24^th of February 2017 at the BPN Multipurpose Hall in Kigali.

I arrived on location 10 minutes before the scheduled start time, 7PM. People were coming in, models were getting ready, good music was played and I just sensed that the following hours would be very pleasant. The introduction speech was given by the representative of BPN Rwanda, Mrs. Alice Nkulikiyinka, who welcomed everyone and congratulated RWANDA CLOTHING for 5 years of business.

Then, what we have been all waiting for started: models came on the runway – the show started. The biggest surprise was right before us: along male and female models were kid models with tailored to fit styles! Every single person in the audience was amazed and clapping with enthusiasm.

Right after the models at the end of the show, Joselyne Umutoniwase, founder and main designer of RWANDA CLOTHING walked in and was welcomed with a round of applause for the amazing collection she had just presented to us. In her address, she thanked everyone that has been with her through these five years. She also emphasized on how RWANDA CLOTHING is like a family and that everyone who was present that evening was a member of that big family which keeps growing even bigger. Then came the obligatory birthday cake. Joselyne invited us all to have a share on the cake and to spend the rest of the evening chatting, sipping a drink and thinking about the next five years.

It was time to go out of the hall and to keep the conversations around a drink. I took the occasion to talk to some people who had attended about the impressions that evening gave them. Gamma, a prominent model in Rwanda said: “This evening was special as RWANDA CLOTHING was celebrating their 5^th anniversary. It is well known that they make good things, and this evening was no exception!” Gigi, another renowned model asserted: “The event was amazing. Actually how it was organized and how everything was on point. They are creative and inspirational, and I hope to work with them again in the future.”

Thibaout, a fashion enthusiast from Belgium confessed that: “I was pleased by this evening! It was a total discovery to me. I have some few weeks in Rwanda and I am trying to discover its faces, fashion included. I was invited by a friend, and I am so happy to have experienced this event!”

I managed to talk to Joselyne for a minute, and I asked her how she was feeling after this milestone accomplished. She replied: “Today was a really special day because we celebrated five years of the company. For us it is a big deal because we started small in a country where people didn’t really know a lot about fashion. It took us a lot of efforts to come to this level. Today was to celebrate this with our customers. It’s like a family birthday party.”

Oh, how about me? “Awesome” is the word that describes the evening for me. I am honored to be part of this beloved family and I too am looking forward to the next five years, keep sharing with you my perspective on this industry along RWANDA CLOTHING.

See the photos of the fashion show: SPRING 2017- The Show

Rare are times that you meet a walking pearl of fashion on the street and I was lucky to meet one in my escapade of blogging in the middle of the street of Kigali, more precisely in the “Downtown-Car Park” of our so special African city.

Her exquisite smile isn’t only beautiful and warming but also welcoming as she makes it easy to be approached and talked to and that’s something rare in iconic figures. I believe everyone in this country knows the Uwase Rangira D’amour who represented the Eastern Province and went home crowned as the 3^rd runner-up in the Miss Rwanda 2016.

The 1m76 lady was born in 1997 and she shared her style and love of fashion with fashionrwanda.com

Miss Rangira describes her style as “African-rooted” with love of local fabrics. She was wearing a short Kitenge dress when I met her and she told me that she chooses her style depending on what she judges appropriate for the place she is gracing on that day. She believes that on a sunny day, a lady should be wearing casual and simple clothes with sandals on her feet plus sunglasses.

She expressed her appreciation for the government’s initiative of “Made in Rwanda” and believes it will benefit designers even more and she would love to see Rwandans learn to love and buy what is locally made and also to see local products being exported on international markets thus show the world what we have.

The passionate Uwase revealed to me that she doesn’t really know a lot of designers but names like Rupari, Gucci Tanga, Sonia Mugabo and Moshions have crossed her ears and also heard from friends that RWANDA CLOTHING are having a show soon. She continued telling me that she keeps updating herself on new trends and styles and that leads to the fact that she always needs to visit a lot of shops to find what she really loves – so while you are doing your shopping you may bump into her.

Miss Uwase Rangira D’amour who uses “Damzy” on her Instagram is an example of a fashion enthusiast who keeps hunting for the perfect outfit daily as the sun rises and I am thankful she shared a portion of her life with us.

Interested in sharing your story with us? Please get in touch with me on my social accounts or via my e-mail. Stay safe and sound!

On Friday the 03rd February 2017 we are searching again for talented fashion models for our next fashion show. The casting is open to everyone (woman/man) who is interested in modeling and meets the requirements to become a model (size, height, look etc.).

You don’t necessarily need to be experienced in modeling but you should be able to do the catwalk in high-heels on a stage in front of audience.

The casting will be held the whole day (03/02/2017) from 09:00am to 06:00pm at the RWANDA CLOTHING STORE Kigali

Please come dressed naturally (simple street style clothing like top and jeans, natural make up, your normal hair style) and smiling and happy to introduce yourself to us and to do some test photos and test walks.

This is your chance to become a RWANDA CLOTHING fashion model! We are looking forward to meeting you

Holidays are over – we are back at work now at RWANDA CLOTHING! We hope you had good holidays as well and we see you again soon!
The RWANDA CLOTHING doors are open again for you!

Our team of designers, fashion tailors, production managers, store staff and everyone else working at RWANDA CLOTHING says thank you to all our customers we had in 2016 and wishes you, your families and friends a Happy New Year 2017!

We will start our annual company holidays next Monday, 2nd January 2017 for two weeks and will be back at work for you on Monday, 16th January 2017.

2016 has been a good year for us with so many new customers, new team members but also with hundreds of extra work hours and overtime after 7:00pm almost every evening.

Now let’s enjoy the holidays, refresh our creativity and energy and have time for family and friends until we see each other again in 2017!

Your RWANDA CLOTHING Team

After a period of hibernation, here we are again with highlights from the street. When walking through the city of Kigali, one doesn’t notice only the majestic buildings that are rising, but also people with a variety of clothing styles with vibrant colors. That mixture makes our city attractive. This time, I met Sarah Uwase, a 19 years old girl with a distinctive sense of fashion.

Though she’s not a professional model, her clothing choices are clearly appealing to the eye. She’s of mixed origins, with a Rwandese father and Congolese mother. She’s finishing her secondary studies soon.

Sarah describes her clothing preferences as ‘stylish and comfortable’. She likes African style that makes her comfortable and ‘allow her to breathe’. I admired how she combines African fabric and modern style in a unique and pleasant way.

I asked her about local designers that she knows and, without hesitating, she replied that she praises RWANDA CLOTHING’s product line. Besides, she admires other designers like Cedric Mizero, and internationally recognized Coco Chanel and Gucci.

Her wish is that the public would be willing to embrace the African styles in their regular clothing choices. Local designers should also seek to produce products that satisfy the local market.

On the future of fashion in Rwanda, she said that it is promising because the government is supporting actively locally made products through “Made in Rwanda” campaign.

Tall and handsome are two words that describe Elysée, a gentleman that I met few days back. He passed by RWANDA CLOTHING Store, and we had a talk. He is 20-years-old, with a Rwandese nationality. He is doing a modeling career in a local agency and also runs a shop.

He had put on tight jeans, a gray t-shirt, leather shoes and a colorful jacket made from RWANDA CLOTHING. He told me that he likes to dress casual or classic wears, depending on the destination. He gets his inspiration from different people, like media personalities, artists and even from regular people on the streets, but mostly picks styles that are classic. His favorite designers are Moses Twahirwa and Fancis Zahabu.

I asked him about RWANDA CLOTHING, and he said that he appreciated the way clothes are designed with a local touch, using local materials.

As someone who is involved in fashion, I asked him how he sees it and what he thinks of its future. He replied that people are really stylish even though the industry itself is not advanced. He added that some people are creative on their own, that they combine clothes from here and abroad and come up with various good styles. He believes that the future of the fashion industry is promising because the youth is getting involved, and the future lies in their hands.

I agree with Elysée, the industry is in our hands. That’s why this blog is there: to showcase how stylish we can all be and to promote our own styles and brands.

From the streets of Kigali, here I am with stylish people to introduce to our esteemed readers. This time, I met Aurika Hategekimana-Auger, a half-Rwandese and half-Canadian girl, with a distinctive sense of style. She’s 17-years-old, soon to turn 18, and her modeling career is just starting. She just finished the high school and, soon, starting her university studies.

From the first sight, it is noticeable that Aurika is really stylish. When we met, she was wearing white trousers, black top and a colourful jacket made in Kitenge, from RWANDA CLOTHING. She describes her style as: “mixed: classy, hippie and African.” She told me that she believes that clothing is defined by one’s personality and roots. Hers is inspired by her Canadian and Rwandese roots. She wants to dress in a way that reflects where she comes from.

She told me she shops from the local shops or on the streets. When abroad, her favorite shopping places are H&M and Forever 21. Her preferred fashion designers are: our very own Joselyne of RWANDA CLOTHING, Yves Saint Laurent and Channel.

On fashion in Rwanda, she said that Rwandese people are very elegant and proud of who they are. She said: “Fashion has to be elevated, and that’s what we are trying. It’s fine to borrow some things from outside, but we have to keep our cultural roots because that’s what makes us unique.”

Aurika is planning to contribute more to the fashion industry in the days to come. I am grateful for she agreed to chat with us, and I am sure we will meet again.