Models, designers and fashion enthusiasts gathered on Sunday at Goma’s prestigious Serena Hotel Goma for the fourth edition of , transforming the city into a vibrant hub of creativity, culture and unity.
The runway came alive with a striking mix of designs, ranging from elegant evening gowns to contemporary interpretations of traditional Congolese attire. Each collection reflected not only artistic expression but also the enduring spirit of a region that has faced decades of instability and conflict.
Founded in 2022, Kivu Fashion Week has quickly grown into a landmark cultural event in eastern , offering a platform for local and regional talent while projecting a positive image of an area more often associated with violence than creativity.
Fashion as a tool for unity
This year’s edition was held under the theme of solidarity, hope and resilience. Organisers said the event was intentionally designed to bring people together across borders at a time when division and insecurity continue to dominate headlines.
“The aim of this fourth edition was to bring communities together,” said Voyance Batinda, founder of Kivu Fashion Week. “That is why we invited several guests from eastern Congo, as well as from Rwanda, Uganda and many other countries. We wanted to share a simple but powerful message — that we want peace and peaceful international coexistence.”
Designers and guests from across the Great Lakes region participated, reinforcing the idea that art and culture can transcend political and military tensions. For many attendees, the show was not just about fashion, but about reclaiming public space and identity through creativity.
A city marked by conflict
Goma, the capital of , sits at the heart of one of Africa’s most conflict-affected regions. The mineral-rich eastern Congo has been plagued by armed violence for decades, driven by rebel activity, regional rivalries and competition over natural resources.
In January, the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group seized control of Goma, plunging the city once again into uncertainty and fear. The takeover displaced thousands of residents and heightened regional tensions, drawing international concern.
Against this backdrop, staging Kivu Fashion Week in Goma was both a bold and symbolic decision.
“For us, continuing the show here is an act of resistance,” said designer Vainqueur Akilimali. “This is done in the spirit of reuniting peoples who have long been scarred by war. We wanted to bring them together in resilience, in hope and in solidarity.”
Creativity amid adversity
Despite the difficult circumstances, the atmosphere inside the Serena Hotel was one of celebration and determination. Music, colour and applause filled the venue as models walked the runway, showcasing garments inspired by Congolese heritage, African identity and modern global trends.
For many designers, Kivu Fashion Week represents a rare opportunity to gain visibility and connect with audiences beyond the region. It also offers young creatives hope that their work can open doors despite the instability surrounding them.
“This event shows that eastern Congo is not just about war,” said a participating stylist. “It is about talent, beauty and creativity that deserve to be seen.”
Congolese singer Dety Darba, who attended the show, echoed this sentiment, describing the event as a powerful form of expression and protest.
“I think it is another way to denounce what is happening, and to show that our country is not only defined by negativity,” she said. “Beyond the war, we live, we create, we are resilient, and we are trying to move forward as best we can.”
Culture as soft resistance
Cultural analysts say events like Kivu Fashion Week play an important role in conflict-affected societies. By celebrating identity and creativity, they help restore a sense of normalcy and pride, particularly among young people.
“Fashion becomes a language,” said a local arts advocate. “It speaks about survival, resistance and the refusal to let violence erase who we are.”
Organisers believe that sustained cultural initiatives can help change perceptions of eastern Congo both locally and internationally, attracting attention not only to the region’s challenges but also to its immense potential.
Peace efforts and ongoing violence
While the fashion show projected hope, the reality outside the venue remains fragile. Violence continues in parts of eastern Congo despite renewed diplomatic efforts to stabilise the region.
Earlier this month, the presidents of Congo and Rwanda signed a peace agreement in Washington, raising cautious optimism among regional observers. However, clashes have persisted, particularly in , where hundreds of civilians have reportedly been killed since the deal was signed.
The renewed fighting has forced thousands of people to flee their homes, with many seeking refuge in neighbouring , worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.
Human rights groups warn that without sustained international engagement and accountability, peace agreements risk remaining symbolic while civilians continue to bear the cost of violence.
Holding on to hope
For the organisers and participants of Kivu Fashion Week, however, the event itself is a statement — that life, creativity and unity persist even in the most challenging conditions.
As the final models left the runway and applause echoed through the hall, the message was clear: eastern Congo is more than its conflicts. It is a region rich in culture, talent and resilience, determined to tell its own story through art, fashion and shared humanity.
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