RIFI Fashion Agency is a youth forum founded by Ri Kon Yocan to help the young generation and promote their modeling talent at high (international) level through teaching, guiding, and training them towards integrity and good cultural behavior. Ri Kon Yocan is a youth passionate about building the fashion industry of Rwanda by making the young generation more beneficial through engaging and giving them the platform in fashion. The idea to start this fashion agency was fueled by the great gap in the Rwanda Fashion Industry and the fact of being surrounded by many people who really need fashion but were not not sure who to ask for help.  Ri Kon Yocan was motivated to bring fashion in his community, help models have access to job opportunities, and bring innovation and creativity in Rwanda fashion so we can compete at international level.

RIFI Models on the runway at the KIMFEST 2022

RIFI Fashion Agency has 114 models both male and female and it is hoping to increase this number by engaging in different areas around Rwanda.  It provides multiple services to create opportunities for all models in the agency. We train models on the catwalk and act to prepare them to make advertisements in photos and videos for our clients. We provide models to act in songs as video vixens and other ones to act in movies or documentaries. RIFI Fashion Agency looks after its models to make sure they have good behaviors, discipline, and they do not consume drugs.

RIFI female model on the runway at KIMFEST 2022

RIFI Fashion Agency has prepared its fashion event for September 2023 and it has participated in different fashion events in Rwanda  like:

• Sustainable Charity Festival on October 1st 2022 at BK ARENA
• Karisimbi entertainment award and Fashion Show 25th Dec 2022
• KIMFEST Awards on 16th July 2022
• Kigali Celebration on 20th May 2022

RIFI won an Award for the  agency of the year 2022

And at the international level, it participated in the GUBA Award event on 20 October 2022. RIFI Fashion Agency has been awarded as the best model agency of the year in the KIMFEST awards. Apart from Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show, RIFI Fashion Agency has other partners such as Ivo design, Luckycrochet250, Floreaimage, and Nyatsaimage.

RIFI Fashion Agency's Models at KIMFEST 2022

RIFI male model on the runway at KIMFEST 2022

RIFI female model on the runway at KIMFEST 2022

RIFI models during their practice 

RIFI models during their practice 

RIFI's CEO, Mr RI KON YOCAN, the 2nd person from the right, wearing glasses 

For more information  about the RIFI Fashion Agency contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or call  Yocan  at +250 785 081 336‬ 

Read more about our partnership HERE

Today February 10, 2023, in the afternoon, Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show (RCFS) signed a partnership agreement with four different fashion agencies that are Rwanda Modesty Fashion Show, Ri Kon Finest Fashion Agency, Tarama Rwanda, and UNO Fashion Agency. The event we attended by various journalists, models, and representatives of the above four agencies. This partnership aims to reinforce the collaboration between agencies in the Rwandan Fashion Industry and work together to recover from Covid-19’s impacts on this fashion industry.

The Assistant coordinator at the RCFS, Mrs Moniah UWIMBABAZI is explaining more bout the partnerships with the 4 agencies 

Moniah shaking hands with the CEO & Founder of the Rwanda Modelsty Fashion Show. Mr Abdul Wahbi

The RCFS representative Monique Uwimbabazi said that this partnership is the starting point to put together people in the fashion industry, and it will help to promote new talents and allow them to have access to the platform which can guide them toward their dreams. She also added that there should be an event every three months to choose the best models (male and female) from each of the four agencies. Those models will get certificates, receive financial support, and they will be posted on all social platforms of the Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show.

Moniah shakes hands with the CEO & Founder of Tarama Rwanda Initiative, Mr Wilson  Kenzy

Additionally, the Rwanda Modesty Fashion Show presenter, Ngabistinze Abdul mentioned how the partnership with RFCS will help them boost creativity in the fashion industry and engage in the preparation of fashion events, as it has been a long time since the Covid-19 outbreak. He explained that he has been working with RCFS, and he acknowledged the mutual benefits of this partnership which will also make the future of the fashion industry in Rwanda certain and sustainable.  Wilson Kageruka (Tarama Rwanda representative) added that through this partnership upcoming models, designers, and other talents will get the opportunity to showcase their abilities during different events prepared together.

Moniah shakes hands with the CEO & Founder of UNO Fashion Agency, Mr Kwizera Danny 

Lastly, Danny (UNO Fashion Agency presentative) talked about the importance of working as a team and how it will help to leverage the available resource to become successful. “Working with this big team presented here will not only benefit the fashion industry, but the country will develop too,” he said. Yocan Senyonga (Ri Kon Finest Fashion presentative) added that to achieve a mutual outcome we need to work as a team, respect each other, provide support anytime asked, and pray.

CEO & Founder of the  RIFI Fashion Agency Mr Ri Kon Yocan  with his Assitant after signing the MOU 

Shortly, the RFCS alone can’t develop the Rwanda Fashion Industry and put it o the worldwide standard. However, working with others in this industry will add value to the culture, fashion, and entertainment. Though the signed agreement signed today has some timelines, RCFS wishes to keep working with fashion agencies until the fashion industry is recognized, appreciated, and known.

Before signing the MOU both CEOs  had discussions about how far  the fashion industry and what is going to be their priority 

                                     CEO & Founder of UNO Fashion Agency, Mr Kwizera Danny signing the MOU 

Moniah is exchanging documents with the CEO & Founder of the RIFI Fashion Agency

The Assistant Coordinator Moniah signing the MOU 

CEO & Founder of RIFI Fashion Agency signing the MOU 

CEO & Founder of Tarama Rwanda Initiative reviewing the MOU before the signing 

It was a great moment for the CEOs and RCFS team after signing the MOU, everyone was happy with the new journey. 

More photos 

By Florence Niyigena

Content Creator and Editor | Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show  PHOTOS : IYAMUREMYE Janvier 

Central African Republic fashion designer opens operations in Kigali

OLGA NGANZI SAMBA-PANZA, a renowned fashion designer in the Central African Republic, last weekend opened her fashion house ‘O’poma Designs’ in Kigali. ‘O’poma’ has been operating over the past 20 years and Nganzi, the fashion house founder, felt Rwanda would be her next market when she discovered that her fashion products meet Rwandans’ taste in designs.

“O’Poma has existed for years and I want to see it growing beyond the borders,” Nganzi told The New Times in an interview.  The name of her fashion house, O’Poma, is inspired by the names of the designer herself, her husband, their daughter and her mother

Some of the designs on display at ‘O’Pama Designs.’

Read more The New Times 

THE RWANDA FASHION WEEK is set to take place during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and will be celebrating designers from the commonwealth member states.

The one-week event will be attended by local and international fashion designers, through the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) fashion panel which is to take place at the Atelier, Kimihurura on June 21.

The Commonwealth market place and Photography exhibition will take place from June 22-25, while the Rwanda Fashion week runway show will take place on 23 at BK arena, Commonwealth market place and Photography exhibition on June 23 and is expected to be attended by over 800 delegates.

The event will be attended by 23 local brands among those seven local brands are participating in the Fashion week runway show, and nine international brands from the UK, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica and South Africa

Among the local designers to participant in the show are Haute Baso, Sonia Mugabo, Inzuki, Rwanda Clothing, Uzi Collection, Izubaa and Amike,

International brand that will participate include South Africa’s Pichulik, Kenyan designers Kiko Romeo, Amu Clothing, Jamaican designers Keneea Linton George, Nigeria’s Pepper Row and Dye Lab, Ghana’s Larry Jay and the designers from the UK, Georgia Hardinge and Maximilian Raynor. 

According to the Pierra A Ntayombya the Co-founder of collectiveRw an organisation that promotes the creative sector, the Rwanda Fashion Week will be taking place in two main venues, the Commonwealth Marketplace and Photography Exhibition at Atelier (Kimihurura), which will be accessible for delegates and the general public from June 22 – 23. The finale runway show will take place at BK Arena.

 She added that the the show will feature 16 designers from Africa, the Caribbean, and the UK. It will be a fashion experience that curates and reflects the visions of notable designers from Rwanda and other Commonwealth countries. The runway show is inspired by the themes of CHOGM 2022 and features both established and emerging designers

The founder of O'poma Design Madam Oli Nganzi, first from the right, Live today at Rwanda Television #RBA with Mrs Moniah Uwimbabazi, the Assistant Director of the RCFS and Mr Luck Nzeyimana, the hoster of Versus show.

 As Rwanda gears up for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) slated for June 20 to 25, many people are ready and everyone in Rwanda is very excited. During a TV Show on Rwanda Television, Moniah Umwimbabazi explained how local artists and fashion designers are ready for this big conference in Kigali" To be honest everyone is ready, event organizers we are ready, models and fashion designers are ready as well. I can say we are all set for the events" Moniah said. 

Mrs Moniah Uwimbabazi, the Assistant Director of the RCFS Live today at Rwanda Television #RBA 

Alongside the founder of the O'poma Design madam Oli Nganzi, today they showcased some of the Opoma Design  2022 collection. With a view to promoting African fabric and African creativity in this magnificent artistic universe of fashion, O’poma Design offers its knowledge by making high-quality African loincloth clothing for women, men and children in order to celebrate together the beauty and richness of African fashion.

" This is an opportunity for us fashion designers and of course, this is all about what people are prepared to sell. for us we are ready. We have created various creations and we can't wait to open up our shop in Kigali" Oli said. 

 According to madam Nganizi, local and African fashion designers should be prepared to offer unique and quality designs. " We want to propose to our client products like clothes of excellent quality by choosing the best materials possible; valorize African fashion and culture through our products and help our customers to choose “made in Africa” products" Nganizi added. 

The founder of O'poma Design Madam Oli Nganzi,  Live today at Rwanda Television #RBA with Mr Luck Nzeyima the hoster of Versus show

The founder of O'poma design Madam Oli Nganzi,  Live today at Rwanda Television #RBA 

Tomorrow is the grand opening of the O'poma design Show, from 3 pm to 8 pm. 

 BY RCFS

Dear fashion lovers, if you are in Kigali, this is the only place to be. We would like to invite you to our grand opening of The O'poma design Shop. It is scheduled for the 18th of July 2022. We will have a short runway show starting from 3 pm- 8 pm.

Bring your family and friends for shopping #madeinrwanda #madeinafrica #fashion #design.

Location: KG 16 Ave, Nyabisindu
Entrance: Free

THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED Mercedes-Benz fashion week was evident that the fashion scene in Rwanda is steadily growing, as the country positions itself to become the next fashion hub in Africa

Over 100 international guests who are normally big players in the fashion industry, including 27 designers, were in Kigali ahead of the six-day fashion event.

Below are the five highlights

Belgian fashion designer Chris Vitj, who was in Rwanda for the second edition of Mercedes-Benz Fashion week called on Rwandan designers and the business community to at least build one fashion school in Rwanda.

Belgian fashion designer Chris Vitj called on Rwandan designers and the business community to at least build one fashion school in Rwanda.

 She was talking at the Fashion Forum which took place last week at Norrsken, Kigali, that brought together Africa’s finest designers and beyond to discuss the growth of Africa's fashion industry from a business perspective.

“I hope someday, starting with a few people here, there will be a kind of school like that. That is my hope,” said the designer, who was a fashion lecturer for a decade until 2021.

Young Rwandan designers given a platform to showcase their collections

In the recently concluded Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week, Young fast rising designers were given a platform to showcase their collection to 27 top designers worldwide.

This happened on May 19, at M-Hotel, when fashion houses like Jarah by Linda Muhoza, Inkingi Designs, Fashion Forward, A&M Kigali Urban, Ntare Gitare, Koni Clothing and others showcased their collections on the runway. A total of 10 young designers were given a platform to show their creativity.

Music meets fashion

Renowned Rwandan musicians alongside top music bands in Rwanda thrilled revellers of Mercedes-Benz Fashion week that were held last week in Kigali. During day two of the fashion week that took place at M-hotel Kigali, Mike Kayihura and Christopher played live music with the Target band while different collections were showcased on the runway. Renowned disc jockey, Selecta Copain, also graced the grand finale of the fashion week with a live set of afro music.

Top designers participate

This year’s edition of Mercedes Benz fashion week was bigger and better than the inaugural edition staged in 2019, with the runway featuring over 15 designers both local and international. Renowned designers like Malawi’s Lilly Alphonso that showcased Dessert collections, Kais Divo collection from Uganda, Qaal designs of Somalia, Ghana’s Arshia Wilson, Thando Piliso of South Africa, among many others showcased their collections during the grand finale of the fashion week.

Some of the Rwandan models that graced the runway. Courtesy photos

South Africa’s Georges Malelu who used to dress Beyonce in 2018 also participated at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion show.

Top models such as Grace Akeza, Honorine Uwase, Kentha Kirezi, Aisha Uwase and many others also represented different designers on the runway.

African fashion dominates

In the recently concluded Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show that took place from May 16-21, African collections dominated others on the runway.

Among 15 designers that participated in the fashion week, 10 showcased outfits made in Kitenge couture.

ORGINAL ARTICLE: TheNewTimesRwanda

How can Private and Public Institutions Support Africa’s Growing Fashion Industry?

This is the topic that will be discussed during the virtual conference entitled “The Future of Fashion Industry in Africa”. It will be in the form of a series of thought-provoking panel discussions about the textiles and fashion industry in Africa. It is scheduled on Friday, 18th December 2020, from at 10:30 am to11:30 am (GMT-KIGALI).

Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show Webinar 2020 Register Here To Participate  or Send your registration via e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

It is organized by the Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show known as the RCFS. This is a Rwandan company which had been working in the fashion industry about 8 years ago. The RCFS was founded in 2012 to promote fashion designers and create public awareness of the talent and quality designs in Africa.

Since the start, may Africans men and women have been promoted through the RCFS events. It assists in marketing, promotion and branding especially for the upcoming fashion designers who are starting small businesses in fashion. According to the examples from the RCFS’s 8 years’ experience, many brands from all over the continent had been established and some are now selling even on the international fashion markets.

This is a magnificent step which shows that the Africa fashion industry had been achieving in a short time. For example, Africa has few fashion schools comparing to the countries where modern fashion is coming from like in the USA, India and Europe etc. But many Africans fashion designers had been invited to showcase in Western and Europe fashion weeks and this is a great full for the Africa fashion sector.

The journey of the fashion industry in Africa started about 20 years ago. It was the revolution of the textiles and fashion industry on the continent which the RCFS sees as an example for the Africans and friends of Africans to feel the pride from our various cultures in styling. 

According to the African Development Bank, demand for African textiles and garments is increasing globally, and African patterns are gaining international recognition as fashionable and iconic pieces, with international fashion houses now integrating more and more African influences in their latest collections. As President Zewde stated: “Globally, Africa’s cultural colours and clothing are increasingly being embraced.

Another example, there are several continental initiatives which are supporting the African fashion industry to develop and sell their products. The Fashionomics Africa initiative of the African Development Bank, together with the African Union, the AfroChampions initiative, and other institutional partners and private operators, launched the Pan-African Fashion initiative on 9 February during the recent AU meetings in Addis Ababa.

Pan-African Fashion initiative is a platform for stakeholder engagement, dialogue, strategy and policies to advance the African fashion industry within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to remove trade barriers between African nations and thus expand intra-Africa trade by about $35 billion per year. Intra-African imports and exports currently account for just 15% of all trade on the continent.

BY the RCFS TEAM

Models catwalking at a past fashion show. The webinar will discuss how to push the industry in Africa forward.

Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show (RCFS) will on December 18, hold a virtual conference during which players in the fashion industry will discuss the current state of the African fashion industry.

Dubbed “The Future of Fashion Industry in Africa”, the webinar will bring together different stakeholders of the fashion industry to share experiences and discuss how private and public institutions can support Africa’s growing fashion industry.

The webinar will include discussions which will be in the form of a series of a thought-provoking panel. Key speakers of the event will include renowned fashion designers, fashion promoters, experts in textiles and fabric dyeing, fashion school teachers and some government representatives.

Celestin Ntawirema, the brains behind RCFS and organiser of the webinar told The New Times that participants in this webinar will share experiences on how to establish a successful fashion concept business, discuss challenges facing the industry and propose some solutions.

“Though Covid-19 halted most activities in the industry, we thought of creating a platform that will bring players in the fashion industry to share experiences and best practices so we can learn from each other how best we can push our fashion industry to another level. We also want to see how designers can go global through African networks,” Ntawirema said.

Celestin Ntawirema, the CEO of Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show. / Courtesy.

The African fashion sector is already impressing in the global market, something that industry players hail as a motivation despite the challenges they have faced in the journey.

Ntawirema, who has been promoting fashion for over the past eight years said that, from his experience,  many brands from all over the continent had established themselves among the best globally and are now selling big on the international fashion markets compared to Western fashion despite having few fashion schools that can drive the industry to greater heights.

He, however, lamented that investors are still reluctant to put their money in fashion-related projects because protection of fashion copyrights and fashion innovations is still low due to the gap in fashion literacy.

The webinar, he said, will be an opportunity for fashion players to show both the public and private sectors the potential that fashion has at its disposal so as to attract their investment and, on the other hand, call for support from the governments to create a conducive environment for fashion to flourish and become a sector which can contribute to the national economic development.

A model shows up before the audience during a past event. / File.

Some of the speakers expected for the webinar include Ruth Jackob, senior lecturer in fashion marketing Eastern London, Karen Uwera, the President of Rwanda Designers Association, John Bunyeshuri, the CEO and Founder of Kigali Fashion Week and Kenyan fashion guru Vinn Clizz, the Managing Director of Vinn Clizz among others.

Challenges

Though Rwanda’s fashion industry is being contextualized with the ‘Made in Rwanda’ policy but Ntawirema said that it’s a shame that One of the biggest challenges we have is that we have no fashion school that can prepare and raise future designers, models, or fashion promoters by profession.

“This is all down to the fact that Rwanda has no forum bringing together designers, models, promoters and other stakeholders to discuss to the future of this industry. We also need an umbrella or a fashion watchdog for all players in the fashion industry to ensure that the protection of our works is guaranteed,”

Rwanda may have local designers who are becoming successful but under hard conditions which the webinar is also looking forward to tackling.

The webinar outcomes are expected to respond to questions raised around African fashion industry from “who can design?”, “who can sell locally-made clothes”, and “who promotes fashion?” or even “who can basically support fashion sector?” 

“We hope the webinar will find share responses to these questions together with the speakers. We also value new ideas from the public from which the future styling and fashion business in Africa can rely on,” he added.

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