Fidelis Karangwa is among the brains and presenters behind Rwanda’s premier breakfast show, Arise and Shine on Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA). Being on television requires her to have a good sense of style because as a presenter, she is usually judged by her appearance first, then her show. Donnah Mbabazi talked to her about her bag of fashion tricks.

How would you describe your dress sense?

A perfect mix of elegancy and sexy. I feel it’s very important for women to feel sexy in whatever they wear but at the same time they have to be elegant such that when people see them, they can easily see a very respectful woman who has standards and is very presentable.

What’s your favourite clothing item?

Shoes, I can own a hundred pairs and still feel like I want some more.

Where do you shop for clothes?

Well, I wouldn’t say I have a particular place but recently I felt a need to start shopping from outside Rwanda because I think most of the clothes in Rwanda are either the same quality or the same colour and with similar fabrics, something I don’t like. I always want to stand out and be different. I sometimes shop in Uganda and sometimes I shop online from the US, also my friends send me clothes.

What do you consider when shopping for clothes?

Colour. I love colour, and everything has to be on a budget because I shop according to what I can afford, I don’t like getting something and when someone sees me in it they start to doubt if I could afford it. I always want to wear something that is nice but at the same time not so expensive.

What is your favourite fashion accessory?

I am a jewelry princess, I love anything that sparkles. In most cases I love watches, I love rings, but mostly I’m into rings.

What’s your favourite clothing item on a guy?

Uhmm..That’s a tricky one but I would say a shirt because I’ll feel for a guy, even if he wears the same jeans or trousers every day of the week but as long as he can change the shirt and wear it nicely. For example he can wear a long sleeved shirt when going to the office and a nice t-shirt on a Friday, for me a guy who knows to select his shirts and appropriately wears them according to the situation or occasion is a classy one.

What’s your favourite scent?

Right now I’m crazy about Calvin Klein; everything from Calvin Klein is really good.

What is the most expensive fashion accessory that you own?

A watch. I bought it online for 300 dollars, I don’t usually spend that much but I bought it and I’m not looking back.

Any fashion advice?

If doesn’t feel right before you leave your house, it probably won’t feel right after you leave the house. If you wear something and may be you feel it’s a bit tight or short when your still in the house, when you get out of the house it probably will feel ten times shorter or tighter and you will feel uncomfortable the whole day, only looking forward to that moment when you go back home and take it off. So for me if it doesn’t feel right before you leave the house, just take it off and wear something comfortable.