Category: Fashion

Understanding these factors can help choose a suitable fragrance. When one applies perfume, it interacts directly with the skin’s natural characteristics such as the skin’s pH balance.

Depending on whether it is more acidic or alkaline, there is a direct influence on how the fragrance develops throughout the day. People with oily skin tend to have an advantage as natural oils enhance the perfume’s warmer, richer notes, making the scent last longer.

Conversely, dry skin often requires more frequent applications because it lacks the oils needed to hold the fragrance.

The body chemistry, including hormones and natural pheromones, also plays a key role. This unique chemistry acts as a filter, amplifying certain notes while muting others. For instance, someone with stronger natural pheromones might find musky or spicy perfumes more pronounced.

Even your diet can subtly affect how a perfume smells on your skin. Foods like garlic, spices, or strong-flavored meals can alter your scent profile, while staying hydrated can help your skin retain fragrance longer.

The environment is another factor to consider. Hot, humid weather intensifies fragrances, making them feel stronger, while colder climates tend to mute certain notes. This is why a perfume might smell different depending on the season or location.

Application techniques also matter. Spraying perfume directly onto your skin allows it to blend with your body’s natural oils, creating a unique scent. If you spray it on your clothes, you lose this interaction, and the fragrance stays closer to how it smells in the bottle.

When shopping for a fragrance, it’s best to test it directly on your skin rather than on paper strips. Fragrances unfold in layers: the initial top notes grab your attention, middle notes develop after a few hours, and base notes leave a lasting impression. Giving the perfume time to develop helps you assess how it truly works with the body chemistry.

Ultimately, choosing a fragrance is about more than just a brand name or fancy bottle. It’s about finding a scent that complements your unique essence and feels like a natural extension of you.

By understanding how skin type, body chemistry, and the environment affect a perfume, you can make more informed decisions and discover a signature scent that’s truly suitable.

I remember when I was a tween, there were loose-end pants that were really on trend. Almost every stylish girl would always put on that kind of pants, and I, on the other hand, would always be like “wow, that is one heck of a cool pair of pants!” But as time went on, I watched them evanescing like mist before the morning sun. Now, guess what every girl’s dream pant is. Loose-end pants, again!

Just like the face of fortune, fashion really changes over time. That stylish top you’re attending every gathering with, will eventually turn out to be the number one cheesy cloth in a few years yet to come. You’ll find yourself putting on wearables that you’ve never dreamt of buying. Something that you always deemed as outmoded will be the dashing one in your closet.

Yes, that’s how fashion, just like everything in life, changes. And like that, that’s how cold-shoulder style enjoyed its precious time and gave space to the off-shoulders and high-neck styles. Even though the change in styles is something that we all agree on, there is also a beautiful truth that some late styles will always find their way back in the future. Now, why don’t we stay diligent and explore the fashion trends that are making a comeback?

Ripped jeans

Let’s all be honest, aren’t these kinds of jeans all over the town? While the pair of jeans with the knees blown out was undeniably trending in the 70s, the style is already back with us. The only difference is that holes are not only on knees, but also on other parts, revealing too much of the skin.

Cargo pants

Maybe you have another name for this, but to make it simple, they are those loose-fitting trousers with patch pockets down each leg. Did this make you check your closet? Well, it’s true that these kinds of pants were a hit in the 90s, but now things are swinging back in our direction. These pants are more than just a hit. They are almost a favorite to every stylish person.

Palazzo pants

Also called wide-leg pants are a unisex trending style that has made a comeback after being popular in the 60s and 70s. Nowadays, not so many people are chasing tight trousers, they are more into those that almost never touch their body.

Chunky sneakers

These kinds of shoes are known for their huge undersurface. Take a look throughout your shoe rack. How many pairs of this kind did you see? Not one, right? Being almost every person’s preferable pair of shoes, this is how chunky sneakers bounced from the 80s to 2023.

High-Waisted/ high-rise jeans

Yes, you guessed it right! These are pants with a long seam between the crotch and waistband. They were more popular in the 80s, continued to be popular throughout the ages, and with their unique evolution, they are able to fit within the current fashion standards.

Headbands

Made famous by celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Princess Diana, these accessories have found their way back to us from the late 60s and 80s. They are now more admirable to artists and other people who are more into fashion.

All these fashion trends and many others that we didn’t mention were once our parents’ or aunts’ styles, but now, they are our favorites. This is why they say ‘true styles never die”.

Join us as we explore Thalia’s thoughts, hopes, and dreams on her journey in the world of modeling and her commitment to celebrating her Rwandan roots.

IGIHE: Would you please give us a brief background to your Swiss and Rwandan origins?

Thalia Chappuis: Hello, I am thrilled to participate in this interview. My name is Thalia Chappuis and I am 16 years old. I am of Swiss and Rwandan descent, which makes me a person with two fascinating cultures. The duality of my cultural background is an essential part of my identity and it deeply inspires me. The richness of Rwanda has always been a source of cultural enrichment for me.

IGIHE: Congratulations on your participation in the prestigious Top Model Europe competition. How do you feel about being among the finalists of this competition?

Thalia Chappuis: Thank you! I am really proud and excited to be among the finalists of Top Model Europe. It is an accomplishment that means a lot to me. The fact that I have made it through all the stages and am among the remaining 29 candidates in the women’s modeling category is an incredible opportunity.

IGIHE: The final of Top Model Europe will take place soon in Brussels. Can you tell us more about this competition?

Thalia Chappuis: Absolutely! The grand finale of Top Model Europe will take place on Saturday, October 7, 2023, in Brussels, the capital of Europe. This competition started with a rigorous selection from 25,000 initial applicants. Now, I am among the 29 finalists in my category. The magnitude of this competition is immense, as Top Model Europe is considered the biggest modeling competition in Europe.

IGIHE: We have heard that this competition has launched many talents into the fashion industry. What are your expectations for your modeling career after this competition?

Thalia Chappuis: Of course, I would love to either win or be among the favorites, but in any case, I am already very pleased to have reached the final. My main goal afterwards is to sign with renowned agencies, be noticed by industry professionals, and secure regular contracts. Participating in Top Model Europe is a unique opportunity to open doors in the demanding world of modeling. In the long term, I aim to build a strong career that allows me to live my passion for modeling.

IGIHE: Your story is inspiring and demonstrates the importance of determination and pride in one’s origins. How do you plan to represent Rwanda in the European fashion industry?

Thalia Chappuis: I am delighted to be able to represent Rwanda in the European fashion industry. Whatever happens at the final of Top Model Europe, I will continue to proudly carry the colors of my country of origin and highlight the richness of my dual culture. I am proud of my Rwandan origins, and I intend to showcase them in my modeling career.

IGIHE: Thank you very much, Thalia, for this enriching interview. We wish you good luck in the final of Top Model Europe and for the rest of your career in the fashion world.

Thalia Chappuis: Thank you for this opportunity and for your encouragement. It was a pleasure to answer your questions. I will continue to give my all and represent Rwanda with pride.

Simply put, it’s a popular clothing trend. My personal definition of fashion is a little different. Fashion is wearing what is popular at the moment. The trends that I partake in are ones that make me feel confident and excited. For instance, Long Blazers with Jeans and Comfy Sneakers right now are everywhere and on everything, so naturally we are in the cold weather. Every fashionable girl’s wardrobe must have this.

Fashion is the dynamic and ever-changing expression of style, encompassing clothing, accessories, and trends that reflect the collective imagination and cultural identity of a society, serving as a powerful means of self-expression and creativity, influencing how individuals present themselves to the world, and shaping perceptions, fostering confidence, and celebrating the diverse tapestry of human individuality.

Fashion plays a pivotal role in shaping and expressing individual and communal identities. It allows us to showcase our personalities, beliefs, and values, providing a canvas for self-discovery and confidence. Through clothing choices and style preferences, we communicate who we are and how we want to be perceived by the world. Fashion empowers us to embrace our uniqueness and stand out, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance in a diverse society.

Cultural reflection

Fashion serves as a powerful mirror reflecting the values, traditions, and history of various cultures. It embodies the essence of a community’s heritage and social norms, creating a tapestry of diversity and inclusivity. By embracing and celebrating cultural fashion, we promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation, fostering a global sense of unity and respect for one another’s unique backgrounds. Through this shared language of style, we bridge the gaps between societies and honor the beauty of human heritage.

Boosting confidence

Fashion empowers us with authentic and comfortable self-expression, enhancing confidence and self-esteem. The right clothing choices positively impact how we perceive ourselves and how others perceive us, fostering a positive self-image and inner strength. Embracing our unique style radiates authenticity, resulting in a greater sense of self-worth.

Many people struggle with this, but the right piece of clothing in the right situation can boost a person’s mood and completely transform them. Clothes influence how we look at someone. They help create an idea of what we think about their personality. Wearing what makes you comfortable is a statement, and people will respect your individuality. This is an essential detail of why fashion is important.

Driving innovation

Fashion serves as a catalyst for innovation, inspiring creativity across diverse industries. Designers and enthusiasts constantly push boundaries, experimenting with fabrics, styles, and concepts. This creative spirit transcends the fashion realm, influencing advancements in technology, art, and architecture. Fashion trends and ideas spark fresh perspectives and cross-disciplinary collaborations, propelling society forward with inventive solutions.

Economic impact

Fashion plays a pivotal role in the global economy, driving growth and generating employment opportunities. The industry’s vast network encompasses designers, manufacturers, retailers, marketers, and artisans, sustaining numerous businesses worldwide. As consumers, our fashion choices influence market trends and drive demand for products and services, contributing to economic prosperity. Fashion also supports local communities, particularly in regions with textile production and garment manufacturing, making a positive impact on livelihoods and fostering economic development.

Fostering social change

Fashion becomes a powerful platform for social change and advocacy. Throughout history, clothing has symbolized movements and challenged societal norms, promoting equality and raising awareness about important causes. By using fashion as a means of protest and activism, individuals and communities amplify their voices and ignite conversations that drive positive transformation. The fashion industry’s capacity to inspire solidarity and support for critical issues empowers us to be agents of change, contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Environmental sustainability

Fashion’s focus on sustainability encourages eco-friendly practices, promoting responsible sourcing and ethical production. By supporting sustainable brands and choosing eco-conscious materials, we reduce the industry’s environmental impact. Embracing fashion’s commitment to sustainability fosters a collective effort to protect the planet and support ethical practices within the industry.
Break the norms

As society grows and advances, attitudes develop, some of which can tear down years of austerity. Fashion, for example, adapts to changing gender dynamics . Dresses for men have become commonplace as people grow more comfortable with gender fluidity.

Inspires creativity

Clothing is a method of self-expression that allows people to be their true selves. From custom-made garments to plain T-shirts, there is no end to how one can express oneself. New fabrics and applications develop daily, opening doors to new and better ideas.

Tells a story

Fashion not only serves a human need but by studying its evolution, we can mark gradual, important changes in society. Every era has a look that defines the most important details and sets the base for improvement and innovation. The history and evolution of men’s suits is a clear example of how society managed to create elements that would have a big impact on future generations. The suits we wear today still recycle old ideas with modern twists.

Make a difference

Whether you choose to wear a gown with high heels, a custom-tailored suit, or a t-shirt with sneakers, you can’t escape the fact that fashion is all around us. Designers create clothing for every type of personality. Every item has a purpose. Designers may put just as much work into crafting the perfect plain black t-shirt as they would into creating a ballroom gown. The fashion industry influences everyone, even “unfashionable people,” in small, imperceptible ways. Next time you put on a brand-new pair of shoes, know that someone spent months of their life preparing them for you.

According to the British Council, Cedric will be with 15 other fashion designers selected among 300 by the British Fashion Council (BFC).

Speaking to IGIHE, Cedric enthused that he was happy to have been chosen. For him “Fashion is a way of recounting a compelling a story”. He remarked that he is in the Fashion World to tell a story and send a message. “My ultimate goal is to contribute to the Society,” he noted.

Cedric was born from a family of 8 kids in Gishoma -Cyangugu district in Western province. He attended primary school at Mushaka Primary School and later enrolled at Groupe Scolaire de Kigombe for secondary school. He also undertook a one-month course at Académie des Beaux Arts in Kinshasha.

His entry into the fashion scene started in 2012 when he participated in various school entertainment, shows.
Cedric is now part of Collective Rwanda, a group of Rwandan fashion designers— House of Tayo, Haute Baso, Inzuki designs, Uzi collections, Sonia Mugabo, and Amizero by Cedric Mizero. Collective Rwanda has already organized two fashion shows, whereby in 2017 Cedric showcased gorgeous creations in an original collection dubbed “Falling from the Sky”.

Amizero Designs was also nominated for the Kenya Fashion Awards 2017, under the East African designer of the year category. Awards aimed at honoring and celebrating outstanding performance and excellence in the fashion industry in Kenya as well as East Africa.

During the 2019 London fashion week, Cedric will present a collection entitled “Dreaming my Memory”, a nostalgic collection that swiftly recounts his young childhood.

This is an important opportunity as the London Fashion Week is among the Big Four, a set of important Fashion weeks around the world. These are the New York Fashion Week, followed by the London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and the Paris Fashion Week. You can only attend them by invitation.

According to the Fashion United’s statistics, the New York Fashion Week generates the highest income from all the global fashion weeks, bringing close to 900 million dollars, annually. As for London, in 2017, the fashion industry contributed £32.3billion to the UK GDP ($41.8billion), which the Fashion Week greatly contributed to.

Aside from being a reliable and consistent source of revenue, Fashion weeks also support young designers such as Cédric Mizero in the Fashion world, opening doors to infinite opportunities.

In its third edition, the Collective RW Fashion Week kicked off in class as popular local designers; House of Tayo, Sonia Mugabo, Inzuki, Haute Baso, Moshions, and Amizero showcased their collections to revelers.

The event is organised by Collective Rwanda, a group of five young fashion designers — Matthew Rugamba, Sonia Mugabo, Teta Isibo, Linda Mukangonga and Moses Twahirwa, who aim at promoting to promote locally made designs and attract local, regional and international fashion designers, models and other technical personnel to build a regional and internationally collaborative platform that will benefit all.

The Fashion extravaganza debuted at 4:30pm with Ogake Mosomi, a Kenyan designer who showcased stylish wedding dresses, followed by House of Tayo who displayed Cutting Edge Military uniforms marrying them with Kstobe Jewel’s ornaments. Haute Baso with Inzuki Designs showcased graceful summer dresses together with jewelry & assortments.

Later on, Makeda Mahadeo who was the MC of the session announced an hour break and revelers retreated to mingle as drinks and food were served.

The show resumed with Amizero & Cecily who displayed creativity and wit from the garbs they displayed to the elderly models tthey used. They were soon followed by Uzi Collections and Dokmai who also made a splash with their collections.

The last segment featured Sonia Mugabo, Moshions, Lisa B Marler, House of Tayo, Moses Turahirwa and Sonia Mugabo.

It goes without saying that with their grace, cherubic features and killer walks, the models that strutted on the runway were simply enthralling. They featured popular faces like Alexia Uwera Mupende, Toni Georgette, Jay Rwanda, Lee Charm, Fiona Muthoni, Kalisa Winnie, Neza Rachel, Umutoni Belise, Ugandan Waiswa Ronalds and many more others.

Along the week, high- profile British designer duo Catherine Teatum and Rob Jones, famous for their London-based luxury label Teatum Jones, which won the prestigious International Woolmark Prize for Womenswear 2017 are expected to showcase their collections.

House of Tayo & K’tsobe Jewel

Moshions & iFele

Sonia Mugabo & Lisa Marler

Uzi Collections & Dokmai

Amizero & Cecily

Haute Baso & Inzuki Designs

OGAKE

Photos: Serge Muhizi

Mercedes Benz African Fashion Festival 2017 Accra Ghana was organized by Global Ovations and produced by Fashion Consultant Cooperation led by its CEO Daniel Ndayishimiye.

The history making MBAFF 17 took three days from the 28th to the 30th July in Accra the Capital city of Ghana.

Over 37 known fashion designers from all over the world showcased their collections for the two days and up to 55 runway models blessed the amazing event which was covered live on EBN TV for the whole world to watch.

The biggest fashion show was produced by Rwandan known organization Fashion Consultant Cooperation mostly known as the producers of Kigali Fashion Week.
Fashion Consultant Cooperation which has an aim of promoting local fashion and textile industry through its projects took one young creative designer Olivier Niyitanga known as Tanga Designs to showcase his made in Rwanda collection at the Mercedes Benz African Fashion Festival in Accra, Ghana.

The Rwanda-Ghana fashion and textile initiative has been launched with both Fashion Consultant Cooperation (Rwanda) and Global Ovations the organizers of Mercedes Benz African Fashion Festival (Ghana). This partnership will involve cultural exchange between Ghana and Rwanda through fashion and textile whereby designers from both countries will participate in each country’s fashion show and run fashion workshops and seminars together.

Upon his arrival in Kigali, Ndayishimiye revealed to IGIHE that the partnership of Rwandan and Ghana will be fruitful to Rwandans as Ghana is a country which has plenty of raw textile materials, clothing fabrics and its fashion platform is already advanced.

Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur Mattew Rugamba decided to share his childhood story which inspired him to his latest creation, a collection of clothes celebrating the rich, vibrant, uninhibited African Barbershop culture.

Known for his Lumumba-like haircut, he shares his portion of life:

“I have always been drawn to black barbershop culture. One of my favorite shows as a child was “Desmond’s”, a British sitcom of a West-Indian Barber in London. My first memories of listening to hip hop and reggae were in the barbershop.

“The fresh Prince inspired my first high top fade, Iverson had me trying to get cornrows and the Ronaldo 2002 World Cup haircut got me in trouble in school, I guess hair has always been a form of expression of my identity”.

The word “Kinyoozi ” translates as “a Barber” in the English language and the collection which was showcased at the Collective Fashion Week finale is composed of different attires with a classy and decent look married with an African-inspired touch of design which recalls the barber’s environment such as Amasunzu embroidery on contrary lapels and pinned scissors prints on shirt collars.

“The barbershop is also the first time I really saw entrepreneurship first hand. My mum opened a barbershop almost 20 years ago. I was so excited about it. I was sketching the signs and coming up with different names. My mum saw how much effort I put into it and she decided to name it after me, “TAYO’s BARBER SHOP” says Mr. Rugamba.

House of Tayo was created by Mattew Rugamba out of Desire to find unique way through which to showcase African sophistication, style and flavor through contemporary, locally-made clothing accessories.

Here are some photographs of the KINYOOZI collection:

With a few years left to hit a decade since the Kigali Fashion Week was established and few days to this year’s edition, here are 3 reasons why you shouldn’t miss this event.

No bigger Show than this in the Country

Fashion weeks are the most awaited events for fashion enthusiasts in a world where the fashion scene is turning into a multi-polar deal. Although the concept of fashion week began in Paris, when marketers would hire women to wear couture items in public places, from racetracks to salon, it’s been already a pleasure to enjoy the past 6 parades of fashion in Rwanda. So why miss out on the opportunity to witness the growth of the Rwandan fashion industry?

More than 20 Designers to showcase their collections

The 7th edition promises to feature designers from four(4) continents with highlight on local designers like Moses from the house “Moshions”, Patrick Muhire from the house “Inkanda”, Cynthia Rupari from the house “Rupari Designs” and others who will enjoy sharing the scene with designers like Gulu from DRC, Nancy from the US, Cassandra from Switzerland, Rawal representing India, Tsukasa from Japan, to only name a few who will amaze you with their beautiful creations.

Over 50 Rwandan Models on the catwalk

Kigali Fashion Week has always been a great opportunity for Rwandan Models who are willing to dive in the fashion industry offering them an opportunity to walk the walk, hearing claps and posing for flashlights while beautifying various pieces of clothes they are wearing.

In the 7th edition, more models will do their first catwalk with the help of experienced models like Kaneza Lynca Amanda, Kalisa Winnie, Jay Rwanda and others.

The Event production will be taken care of by Mosound Event. Guests will be pleasured by the amazing vocals of Weya Viatora and Selecta Copain is the official deejay of the Grand Finale hosted at Serena Hotel after sunset of May 27th.

Gates will be open from 6:30 pm, tickets are already on sale online and delivered to you via Ronkos.rw places.

By Ivan Nyagatare

Seraphina is Feminine form of the Late Latin name Seraphinus, derived from the biblical word seraphim which was Hebrew in origin and meant “fiery ones”. The seraphim were an order of angels, described by Isaiah in the Bible as having six wings each and that is according to Wikipedia …but to the young Ines Claudia Hirwa she decided to name her clothing brand “Seraphina” to honour her Grandmother.

Ines Claudia Hirwa shared her journey as a designer and her clothing line goals with IGIHE

“I started Seraphina with my partner Diane Umugwaneza, a friend who lives in Belgium. At the beginning it was really hard to choose a name for our clothing line but we decided to call it Seraphina in honour of my late Grandmother who was also a designer and tailor,” says Hirwa who lived in Belgium since 1995 when she was almost 4 years old.

After returning to Rwanda in September 2014, suggested by her friends who pushed her to create her own clothing brand and also realizing that the fashion industry was growing ,she noticed that the market was lacking some creations. Coupled with her failure to find particular fashions that she wanted, she ventured in designing and after 2 years in September 2016, Seraphina was launched.

“We want our clothes to be Made in Rwanda, support the economy of Rwanda and provide employment for local tailors and everyone who is involved in the industry. Most importantly, it is our pride to wear what has been made in our country,” she says.

The designer who makes pieces such as Crop-tops, Jumpsuits and others said that the market is very big and everyone can sell their designs. She urges all designers and tailors to invest in their skills and professionalism to be able to provide quality to their clients.

Seraphina started with a budget of Rwf3,000,000 with a team composed of two designers and one tailor. Today, given the many local clients and many orders from European countries, they are planning to grow accordingly by widening their team and opening more stores. As for now their clothes can be found at Bold Kigali on the 1st floor of Kigali Heights.

By Ivan Nyagatare