RWANDA CLOTHING is the Rwandan fashion brand and will be one of the world market leaders of African fashion in terms of design and quality of our products as well as our brand popularity and recognition. RWANDA CLOTHING will become the first known fashion producer from Africa worldwide and a pioneer in creating a brand new market segment: African fashion international.

RWANDA CLOTHING was established in February 2012 in Kigali by founder Joselyne Umutoniwase who is the creative mind behind the brand and one of the best new talents in creating fashion in Africa. She is born in Rwanda and has developed her famous design artwork over the last decade while living and working in Africa and Europe.

The philosophy behind Joselyne’s brand is simply to set the highest standards of customer care and customer satisfaction in African fashion. We truly love our customers.
RWANDA CLOTHING is designed to become a fashion revolution by establishing its own Rwandan style and fashion identity. Our high-quality products will change the perception of fashion and the buying behavior of people in Rwanda and in the whole of Africa.

RWANDA CLOTHING shall also be an example for respecting ethical values and human dignity and each and every decision our company makes must consider the consequences from an economic, social, cultural and ecological viewpoint and should contribute actively to the wellbeing and sustainable development of the Rwandan community.

Local designers left fashion enthusiasts fascinated with their stunning collection of the African print designs that were showcased at the Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show. This was at the 6th edition of the annual event was held at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village held on September 8. Fashion lovers came together to witness the creations of those that have made fashion and design their passion.

Local designers who took part in the show included Cynthia Rupari of Rupari Agency, Charlotte Shema of Touch of Rwanda Fashion Designs, Patrick Muhire of Inkanda house, Diane Mugeni Ngendahimana of Mundi Collections, while foreign designers were CM Class from DR Congo, Fathia Creations from Ghana and Esther Lam Couture from Nigeria.

The event, that began a few minutes past 7p.m, had models display different amazing fabrics like African prints that included kitenge, kente, and black cloth fused with modern touch to create colorful outfits. Charlotte Shema, from Touch of Rwanda Fashion Designs, told The New Times that she fuses fabrics like African print with the modern touch to move with the times.

“Since we are in modern society,” she said, “what I do is to fuse fabrics like African print or cotton with a modern touch to fit society we are in, plus we have to come up with modern designs that will help preserve our culture but move with the modern times we are in.” Speaking at the event, Celestin Ntawirema, the chief executive of Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show, said that although the annual event is yet to be where the organizers wish it to be, it has gradually picked up.

He noted that, compared to the previous editions, this year’s was better and he looked forward to making the event something known across the continent. “Compared to the last events this has been better, the number of people who have attended is bigger compared to those who attended last year and the other years,” said Ntawirema.

“We shall continue working hard to make sure we promote our African cultural designs across the world,” he added.

The show featured entertainment by traditional dancers.

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The experience will take place in Rupari's small, boutique clothing design and tailoring shop. Rupari will share her experience with design, fashion, modeling, tailoring, running a boutique design house, and fashion marketing in Rwanda and E. Africa. She'll share some of her sketches, projects she's working on, and samples of her work. She can also provide feedback on some of your work if you bring it with you.
You'll also spend time with the tailors that work on her designs and learn how they bring Rupari's creations to life. If you'd like, you can try your hand at creating a piece to take home. Or, sit back and watch the expert tailors create something for you. Each curious traveler can choose their own fabric and take home a pillowcase, scarf, bow tie, or traditional necktie.

ENTREPRENEUR
Rupari was born in Burundi and came to Rwanda in 1994. She holds a degree in International Economics from the National University of Rwanda and has worked with NGOs, in public relations, and also in the banking sector. Rupari’s immediate goal is to be successful in the design and production of her clothing lines. She hopes to export her work internationally and eventually open a shop in another country. She’s also passionate about working with other models that wish to pursue modeling as a career. She also hopes to have a larger online presence and increase sales through her website.

EXPERIENCE
Rupari started in the fashion industry as a runway and advert model. She’s worked with designers from East and West Africa, including many Rwandan designers. It was her interest in African fabrics that inspired her to create her first clothing collection. After presenting her first collection in West Africa, she reluctantly returned to her job in the banking sector. She continued to design corporate and special occasion clothes for friends, family, and, of course, herself. As her passion for fashion grew, she started showcasing her work around Africa and in late 2014 Rupari achieved her dream of opening her own boutique.

Touch Of Rwanda Fashion Designs Ltd was foundered by Shema Charlotte a creative designer. It is based in Rwanda, Kigali, Kacyiru. Her brand had registered in January 2018 and started a month after, now it’s been almost 6 months. The company is growing, with a shop and a workshop. It offers different services as “to be able to buy the ready-to-wear and they are already made by different sizes and different materials.

The company's clients are able to choose the size and colors of their choice. Shema and her company had been offering services in tailoring and clothes to different people both men and women and kids. Shema’s main styles are smart casual, an outfit that can be worn at the office, every day and evening for some occasions. She also designs and does accessories such as bags, bed covers, napkins, pillowcases and some materials to use in home decor.

At least seven foreign countries are participating in this year’s show, slated for September 8 at a yet-to-be-specified venue in Kigali, Rwanda. The runway show will be preceded by a model casting session at the Great Seasons Hotel in Gacuriro on September 4. The casting will be open from 1pm to 6pm. This year marks six years since the Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show was founded in 2013. Organizers have promised a unique runway show featuring designs from different cultures as the Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show returns.

“Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show is a forum for local and international fashion designers to showcase their designs. Our goal is to promote fashion designers and create public awareness of the talent and quality designs in Rwanda,” explained Celestine Ntawirema, the founder. Ntawirema further disclosed that they will be partnering with local modeling agencies to help with the casting of the models. This year, the event has drawn fashion designers and entrepreneurs from Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Nigeria, Ghana, Japan, the DRC, and hosts Rwanda.

Registration for the casting is already open, and each model is required to part with a registration fee of Rwf3, 000, payable to organizers through Bank of Kigali. To qualify, female hopefuls will need to be at least 1 meter 75 centimeters tall, while their male counterparts need to be at least 1 meter and 80 centimeters tall.

“This year we resolved to meet international casting standards. Normally in Rwanda the way we did castings was not to international standards,” Ntawirema explained, adding that all models who will register for the casting will have a chance to attend the show, even for those that won’t be selected. Organisers have also set aside two days of a fashion exhibition, where the public will be able to shop for various fashion items as a way of supporting the ‘Made in Rwanda’ campaign.