A fashion show was held in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo aimed at inspiring peace and creativity in conflict-ridden region.
Longing for peace, Goma workshop owner, Flore Mfuanani Nsukula, put the finishing touches on her newest collection to recognize the conflict-ridden Democratic Republic of Congo. In her words, “We want peace to be restored in our country, especially in North Kivu.”
“Through art, all colors that we will express, through our clothes, it will be full of emotions, trying to explain what we are going through in our country.”
For decades, more than 100 armed groups in eastern Congo have been fighting for control of important natural resources. There are frequent mass killings, and the bloodshed has caused a refugee exodus.
In lieu of violence, the Liputa fashion show on Saturday night promoted peace and creativity within the region.
According to organizers, it is an opportunity to send a message of peace and peaceful cooperation during a time of heightened tensions.
Creative stylists, models and designers from Cameroon, Senegal, Burundi, France and the U.S. took to the catwalk in hopes of spreading joy and beauty in the wake of a tumultuous chapter in the Congo’s history.
Cameroonian fashion designer Délia Ndougou stated, “Africans must be one, be united. It is true we have a very wide cultural diversity, but this diversity must bring us together.” She presented a collection inspired by her national flag.
“We really wanted to convey joy in the clothes, peace in the clothes, very cheerful styles, a question of making the world smile,” Chadrac Lumumba, a creative stylist from Kinshasa added.
Flore’s collection sought to recommit to the quest for peace in the area, while also showcasing the fashion industry’s continuous potential in the Congo.
Organizer David Ngulu knew the show was, not only to sell these images of creators, but to show that in Africa and in the DRC, peace is possible.
“We presented these collections, not only to sell the images of these creators, but to show that in Africa, in the DRC, the areas that are considered ‘red,’ we can do things there that we see in other countries that have peace,” says David Ngulu.
“I think that each creator contributed to love, peace and living together.”