Over 70 young vibrant boys and girls across East Africa participated in a runway model casting event organised by Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show (RCFS), in partnership with Kigali Fashion Week. The auditions took place at Great Seasons Hotel in Kigali.

RCFS is an annual fashion event founded in 2012 by Celestin Ntawirema to promote fashion designers and create public awareness about the talent and quality designs in the region and Africa.

Hopefuls were asked to strut their stuff on the catwalk in front of a panel of judges and were measured to see whether they have catwalk proportions. 72 girls and boys attended the open casting but only 25 made the grade.

Burundi’s Leslie Akimana, one of the catwalk hopefuls selected for the Cultural Fashion Night, said the audition was not very difficult. However, Kenya’s Meshack Okeyo, said he was not sure he would be selected because his fellow contestants were towering him— but his unwavering confidence and belief helped him to believe in myself and impressed the judges.

Ntawirema said the fashion industry has begun to gain ground but encouraged Rwandans to support local designers and models to create a more vibrant fashion industry.

The selected models will participate in the runway fashion show at the Goethe Institut in Kigali on May 13. The event will feature local and regional fashion designers. They are also expected to take part in all fashion shows organised by both Rwanda Cultural Fashion Show and Kigali Fashion Week.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw