The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo recently hosted the fourth edition of Kivu Fashion Week, a celebration of style and culture, at Goma’s prestigious Serena Hotel. The event featured a diverse range of clothing, including formal evening gowns and modern twists on traditional garments. Founded in 2022, Kivu Fashion Week has become a landmark event in the region, promoting solidarity, hope, and resilience in the face of ongoing violence.
The region has been plagued by conflict for decades, with mineral-rich eastern Congo being a particular hotspot. In January, the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels took control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Despite this, the organizers of Kivu Fashion Week chose to continue with the event, seeing it as an opportunity to bring communities together and promote a message of peace.
According to Voyance Batinda, founder of Kivu Fashion Week, the aim of the event was to unite communities and promote international cohabitation. The event featured guests from the East of the DRC, as well as from Rwanda, Uganda, and other countries. Designer Vainqueur Akilimali noted that the event was a way to reunite people who have been scarred by war, and to promote resilience, hope, and solidarity.
Kivu Fashion Week also provides a platform for creative talents in the region to showcase their work. Singer Congolese singer Dety Darba, who attended the event, noted that it was an opportunity to highlight the positive aspects of the region, beyond the negative headlines. Despite the glamour of the event, violence continues to rage in eastern Congo, with hundreds of civilians killed in South Kivu since a peace agreement was signed between the Congolese and Rwandan presidents earlier this month.
The peace agreement, signed in Washington, aimed to bring an end to the conflict, but its effectiveness remains to be seen. Thousands of people have fled to nearby Burundi, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. As the situation continues to evolve, events like Kivu Fashion Week serve as a reminder of the importance of promoting peace, hope, and resilience in the face of adversity. The event has become a significant cultural phenomenon in the region, showcasing the creativity and determination of the people of eastern Congo.