Seven Rwandans have been nominated for the 2016 Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards— set to take place next month in Kampala.

The event, regarded as one of the biggest events on the fashion calendar in East Africa, will see some of Africa’s top fashion designers and celebrities competing in different categories.

The grand ceremony is scheduled for December 9 at Kampala Serena Hotel.

Held under the theme, "Dress to inspire 2016”, this year’s edition is aimed at inspiring, motivating and encouraging more young people, to not only get involved in the industry but build a strong chain and bond that can help push the industry forward.

Nominees from Rwanda

The Rwandan fashion industry has been slowly but steadily growing over the last couple of years, with the government supporting the industry through the ‘Made in Rwanda’ campaign to spur the fashion and creative industry.

Rwanda will be represented by seven people including Moses Turahirwa, the founder of Moshions Fashion House, who was nominated in the category of Fashion Designer of the Year.

He will compete with Martin Kadinda (Tanzania), Bobbins & Seif (Uganda), Lisa Folawiyo(Nigeria), Abrantie The Gentleman (Ghana), Loza Maleombho(Ivory Coast), Kidd Hunta(Zimbabwe), Thula Sundi(South Africa), Taibo Bacar(Mozambique), and Chisoma Lombe(Zambia), among very many other designers.

Turahirwa’s designs, which are influenced by African print and imagination, have earned him recognition in the fashion fraternity both locally and in the region.

According to Gloria Haguma, the awards publicist, Moshions was nominated after a month-long public nomination process, from which he was selected by the public and the panel of judges, based on his work and accomplishments throughout this year.

Kate Peyton, real name Catherine Bashabe, the founder of KABASH Fashion House, a shop that deals in fashion accessories, was nominated in the Female Best Dressed Celebrity, along with Anita Fabiola(Uganda), Jokate Mwegelo(Tanzania) and Jamal Gaddafi(Kenya), among others.

Other nominees from Rwanda include Jean de Dieu Ntabanganyimana known by his model name Jay in the category of East Africa’s Rising Model of the Year, Claudine Mwangachuchu and Milly Vanly Umuhoza respectively for Makeup Artist of the Year.

CNBC Africa anchor Georgie Ndirangu was nominated in the category of Best Dressed Media Personality/Entertainer of the Year, alongside Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) English news anchor Friday James.

The duo are battling it out with the likes of Uti Nwachukwu, Falz the bahd Guy, Ebuka Obi, Denrele Edun, all from Nigeria and Tanzania’s Idris Sultan, who is leading in the votes.

Speaking to The New Times, Turahirwa said that the awards provide a strategic platform for his products to be exposed to a wider clientele.

"I feel confident because of this recognition and nomination to showcase my work on a wider platform thus raising trust for my local and international customers. I and my team are ready to expand our reach to other markets across the continent,” said Turahirwa.

This year’s categories include Continental Style & Fashion Influencer, Fashion Designer of the Year, Fashion Brand of the Year, Most Stylish Artiste, Best Dressed Celebrity, African Model of the Year, and Outstanding Model of the Year.

Others include East African rising Model of the Year, Best Model Management, Most Fashionable Music Video, Most Stylish Couple, Crossing Boarders with Fashion, Best Dressed Media Personality/Entertainer of the Year, Stylist of the Year, Most stylish Africans in the Diaspora, and Lifestyle/fashion photographer of the Year.

Voting is ongoing and it’s being done through the awards website and three main social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

To vote your favourite personalities, simply upload the image of your nominee to any of the three social media platforms, give a reason why you want them to win in the particular category, and sign off with the hashtags "#Asfa2016 #Asfahappeningagain.”

You can also vote on http://abryanzstyleandfashionawards.com/myvote/

editorial@newtimes.co.rw