Recently known in Burundi, fashion art is starting to be expanded through the talent of young designers and ambitious models. However, they need some training and support to become true professionals –By Yves Didier Irakoze
Tine Bidogeza, one of the lady mannequins of Burundi.©Iwacu
“I was ambitious to become one day a fashion top model. Then, when some fashion agencies opened their office here in Burundi, I said to myself that my dream would be achieved. Then, I got the chance to be trained, selected and took part in different rehearsals,” says Ahmed Rushoza from “Umuringa Fashion Agency”. He goes on saying that he has an opportunity to develop his potential and earns money thanks to this kind of art though in Burundi, fashion is at its embryonic stage. Davy- Carmel Ingabire, the Managing Director of “Agence Esther” indicates that fashion is a good career that provides much money but requiring hard work.
“Through fashion, we can go all over the world expanding and showing the image of our own country; it is a good culture vehicle as it is open to the world and doesn’t have any border. Fashion can also be a good opportunity to invest in Tourism because it may attract a lot of visitors who may come to admire the different kinds of fashion styles related to Burundi traditional clothes and wearing, states Ingabire. Tine Bidogeza from “Agence Esther” on her side states that she is proud as a fashion model. She went to Brazaville and in September she will represent Burundi at Strut It Africa Fashion Week (SIAFW) at Nairobi in Kenya. Panafrica Marie Claire, the Managing Director and Owner of “Agence Mary Line” which trains models and hostesses, states that in Burundi youth have the potential in creating modes, promoting them and making spectacular designs.
“Burundian youth are talented, ambitious, willing as well as creative. Furthermore, they have a physical potential regarding the girls’ body height; Burundi is one of the countries that fulfill the international requirements of mannequins very easily,” points out Panafrica.
But there are still some obstacles
Most of mannequins point out that since this kind of art is new in Burundi, mannequins are stereotyped and undergo disdain and criticism from the society. This is due to the fact that there are some people who do not understand the role played by models and mannequins in society. They don’t think that it is a career that is important in the life of a country; it can widespread the good image and culture of Burundi in the world.
“What requires much in this kind of art is to be yourself, simple, keep on your roots, values, norms of the society and protects your own reputation”, declares Ingabire. A very big problem is that the government doesn’t give important and appropriate value to the art. It is regretful that mannequins are often mistreated and sometimes undergo man-to-man exploitation.
Mentality should change
Burundian people ought to consider fashion as an art that deciphers the picture of the country and that it is as important as another kind of job that may help people to live or survive. “The government has to support this art more effectively, create structures and schools of mannequins and designers of modes as well as subsidize it in order to channel talents. It should also put in place some laws to protect those young talented artists from exploitation,” points out Ingabire. Panafrica concludes saying that mannequin agents should have strong discipline and personality.
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