It was a busy weekend in Kampala, where the prestigious Abryanz Style & Fashion Awards, (ASFAs) 2016, was held.

The prestigious awards ceremony that took place last Friday, at Kampala Serena Hotel, saw Rwanda’s Claudine Utuje Mwangachuchu emerge the East African Makeup Artiste of the Year, and NIB Studios bagged the Africa Lifestyle/Fashion Photographer of the Year award.

Mwangachuchu is the make-up artist behind most models on the billboards in Kigali. She competed against Milly Vanly Umuhoza (Rwanda), Muthoni Njoba (Kenya), Maya mia (Tanzania), Steve Koby (Kenya), and Fauzia Abdulkadir (Kenya).

She said that the award is the recognition of the work she does but also encourages her to expand his operations.

"I’m excited for being the outstanding makeup artiste in the whole region. This means a lot to me and it is a sign of the influence that my work makes across the entire East Africa. What drives me is the passion and commitment,” said Mwangachuchu.

"This is an encouragement as well to work more and operate beyond the region. 2017 is a year to open my own studio,” she added.

Five Rwandan fashionistas were nominated at the 2016 edition of ASFAs, including Catherine Bashabe of KABASH Fashion House, CNBC anchor Georgie Ndirangu, Moise Turahirwa of Moshions, model Jean de Dieu Ntabanganyimana (Jay D), and RBA’s Friday James.

The big winners at the 2016 ASFAs were South Africa’s David Tlale (Male Continental Style and Fashion Influencer; Style and Fashion Icon Achievement Award), Bonang Matheba (Best Dressed Female Celebrity: Southern Africa; Female Continental Style and Fashion Influencer) as well as Millen Happiness Magese (Humanitarian Award for Works in Fashion).

The awards ceremony was held under the theme "Dress to Inspire”, and there were music performances from Ugandan artiste Ceaserous, Kenya’s Avril and Runtown from Nigeria.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw