It feels exciting to know that you have a special event to attend and outfitted with a perfect attire for the day.

But it can be a nightmare to accept a fantastic invitation with the fear of making a major fashion blunder at the event. Of course, it has never been so easy to find a perfect plus size outfit, but extra large people too, can get fun and trendy outfits.

It is against this background that Alga Fashion Inc, a local fashion company, founded by famous gospel artiste Aline Gahongayire, in conjunction with The Beat Company, among other partners, are organising the first-ever ‘plus size’ fashion show dubbed ‘The Alga Plus-Size Fashion Show”.

The annual event that will define a new chapter in the Rwandan fashion industry will be held under the theme: ‘Big is Beautiful - Our Size, Our Beauty.”

‘Alga Plus Size Fashion Show’ is an initiative geared towards appreciating and developing a new dimension in African modelling and fashion industry, by creating an opportunity for plus size models to participate in the industry.

"Through this event, we intend to change the western belief that slim or petite models are the only ones that can succeed in the fashion business. We would like to give fashion a more African approach and create a platform for big models in a respectful, recognisable and profitable manner,” Gahongayire said. 

"And through the focused co-operation of the fashion industry stakeholders, we shall maximise the role of the fashion industry into economic development, job creation, poverty alleviation and socio-economic development in Rwanda in general,” the singer added.

A line-up of 20 models from large, extra large to extra-extra large will grace the runway in the event that will see the ultimate winner crowned "Alga Plus Size Modelling Show.”

Gahongayire noted: "We are outdoing ourselves into creating an event of international standards from lighting and set design, to marketing and promotion, guest services, public relations, professional photo shooting, modeling training, fitness and of course, the runway collections and many other different activities.”

As a build up to the big day, there will be a special preview every Tuesday at 8:30 pm on RTV.

The fashion industry in Rwanda is growing, with the creation of fashion companies and varieties of fashion show events. Unfortunately up to now, the industry is only reserved for a specific category of people; designers, professionals, to slender models with fashionable bodies.

However, the remaining excluded category of people (fat) with the desire and dream of working in the industry are left to their own fate, which led most of them to live a complex lifestyle.

Alga Fashion Inc has come up with a new way of creating a fashion show to showcase beauty and dignity of fat women and men.

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