Urban Boyz pose for the photo before hitting the stage in Nyamagabe PGGSS III road show

Local Afro beat music trio dubbed Urban Boyz (a.k.a) Swagga Boys have not only proved to be good in music but also in trend setting.

This was seen when the boys rocked Nyamagabe residents at the second Primus Guma Guma Super Star III donning multicolored pants and caps made locally with banana fibres.

While most local male musicians imitate the dressing style of the Western musicians while on stage such as oversized clothes with heavy necklaces hanging along on their necks and huge fingerings, it’s different with Urban Boyz.

Urban Boyz invented the style of folding pants and blazers while performing on stage which has become a famous dress code for some local musicians including TBB crew.

The trio has on many occasions proved to appear unique from other local artists, for instance when they dress like Scottish.

Urban Boyz dressed in skirts (kilts) like Scottish men

The Urban Boyz in striped arm folded blazers with traditional smoking pipes

The trio is also known for donning caps and posing with traditional smoking pipes.

Celebrity Kanyombya shocks the audience

During the same event, local drama actor Kanyombya killed it when he stormed the stage to support his old friend singer Senderi dressed up like a Muslim.

Kanyombya in a white pants and shirt with a protruding stomach

What shocked the revellers was the head wear (Hijab) but the most shocking scene was a bottle of beer in his hand, which is a taboo in Muslim religion.

Despite the funny look to support a friend, the singer Senderi was casually dressed in Jeans and T-shirt.

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Men’s jeans at New style Boutique in Remera (Kigali)

Black is the color of coal, ebony and of outer space. It is the darkest color, the result of the absence of or complete absorption of light. It is the opposite of white and often represents darkness in contrast with light.

It is a befitting wear of almost all time and very popular in Rwanda like in other many countries in the world. It is selected for offices, casual wear, and such other social sorts.

According to the history of black color, it was one of the first colors used by artists in Neolithic cave paintings. In the Roman Empire, it became the color of mourning, and over the centuries it was frequently associated with death, evil, witches and magic.

In the 14th century, it began to be worn by royalty, the clergy, judges and government officials in much of Europe. It became the color worn by English romantic poets, businessmen and statesmen in the 19th century, and a high fashion color in the 20th century.

Despite the fact that it is associated with mourning, the end, secrets, magic, power, violence and evil in countries like the west, it’s still a symbol of elegance. It’s the elegance that has made this colour most wearable all over the world and used in accessories especially bags and shoes.

Apart from elegance, black can be matched with any other colour which is convenient for many people that have no much time following fashion trends.

In Rwanda like other countries, a big population buys used fashionable clothes. Although the fashion industry is making a step with talented local designers, black color is used at the customer’s choice just like other colors.

Black in some of the Rwandas clothing stores and markets

Black has become so dominant especially if it comes to mens clothing mostly jeans. Colour ranges from black to dark blue on most mens trousers.

Apart from jeans, black and navy blue used to be color of the mens suits but different lighter hues are currently taking over.

Going to the ladies section in the same boutique, a big percentage of shirts and blouses on display are plain black while others have black prints.

Black colour in accessories

Photo taken from one of the popular local markets in Kigali city (near Rubangura’s building)

More than anything else, many of the womens bags come in black colour whether new or second hand (used) bags. Designers’ bags like Coco Chanel’s, Louis vuitton and Dolce and Cabana that made a big number of the used bags in the market, are in black colour.

At the local market, shoes on display call for attention due to their designs but it would take time to select one if you wanted a non black shoe

The elegance of the black colour applies when it comes to shoes. Markets such as Nyabugogo, Kimironko and other shops, 90 percent of the shoes and bags new or used are black in colour.

The post Why black colour dominates in clothing and accessories appeared first on Rwanda Fashion.

 Sheer white

A peek of skin through sheer white makes the whole thing interesting. White layered under a white jumpsuit gives a cute white-on-white look. Another option is white chiffon skirts for swirly sexiness or illusion-topped dress in white to show skin.

Boho

Embellishment, beads and embroidery are great ways to dress up warm-weather classics like cotton.

Also look for dresses and skirts with some form of embellishment in white: ethnic looks are another huge trend for spring.

Another option is to go with an all-white outfit and add colorful beads or bracelet to put your own personal spin on boho white looks.

Ruffles and Flowers

Another great way to add glamour to solid white is to wear it with oversized floral accents in white. Also look for ruffles and bows as other pretty ways to feminize white looks.

Varied Textures

Wearing different types of fabrics and textures together in white is one way to add interest to the look and keep it from being boring. For example combine a shorter jacket with a perforated top and swirly skirt.

White is the perfect color to show of textures and silhouette because it’s a pure, simple color.

Tailored

Tailored pieces like menswear pantsuits look great in white color. Opt for either a work-ready all-white pantsuit or a tuxedo. K

eep the pantsuit feminine by choosing slim pants (ankle length crops work beautifully) and adding strappy heels.

Little White Dress

While it’s common for little black dress on cocktails, a little white dress can lighten up your cocktail hour look in spring 2013.

Shine

The beauty of an all-white palette is that you can get away with trying shapes and fabrics that might look tacky in bright colors. For e

xample, shiny satin pantsuit looks perfectly elegant in white, but it might look garish in hot pink.

Even if your all-white outfit isn’t shiny, you can add metallic accents in the form of accessories and shoes for a nice touch (white is a natural for silver and gold accents.)

Lace

While the fabric of spring season is lace, it looks pure and elegant in white color. No need to save it just for dress up, either. Wear a white lace top with jeans for a new twist on weekend or date dressing.

The post How to wear white from head to toe appeared first on Rwanda Fashion.

Try a timeless approach to fashion

When it comes to fashion, we all love a good trend. It’s nice to have something fresh and exciting to spice up the wardrobe. But nothing beats timeless style.

And, surprisingly, some of the things which flatter your figure the most may not be the trendiest. For example, while skinny jeans are hot, your best look might be a soft A-line skirt instead.

Rely on the little black dress

Whether you opt for a head-to-toe chic black look or decide to add a pop of color to your little black dress, know that the little black item is a look that will take you anywhere. Even newer ideas like wearing open shoes or adding a leather jacket can help elevate your look.

If all you can afford in your closet is a little black dress, it’s the one look that will take you just about anywhere and there are many ways to pull it off.

Don’t be a fashion victim

If you wear too many trends at once or look like you are trying too hard, it crosses the line from having great personal style to becoming a fashion victim.

Wear your best colours

Gorgeous, flattering colors like violet, blue and pink can all make your skin, hair and eyes look amazing. Wear your best colors to really make your wardrobe pop.

Dress for your body type

If you are bottom-heavy or need to hide your weight, find out how to dress around your body type issues such as magazines to look your best in clothes.

Find your signature look

True style is really learning to take a look and make it all your own. You can add a personal accessory like something vintage or ethnic to have a look that’s all your own. Finding your signature style is one of the most rewarding things about really loving fashion.

Always dress for the occasion

Did you get a party invite that says “cocktail attire?” Or maybe you’ve been invited to a black-tie affair. Regardless of what you’ve been invited to, the occasion will call for a certain outfit and most of us get intimidated when it comes time to pick out the right look.

Buy clothes that fit

Is your long gown the right length? Does your sleeve hem hit you just right? Having a garment that fits is one of the best ways to perfect your look.

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There’s nothing like a little lipstick to brighten your face and add polish to your look. You don’t want it on your teeth, though, and you probably wish it didn’t wear off quite so fast. These four easy steps show how to apply your lipstick properly so that it has staying power every time.

What you need

Lip balm, lip liner, lipstick and facial tissue

Apply lip balm 

Dot your lip with lip balm to smooth them and reduce crevices. This will help give you an even application of lipstick.

Use a lip liner 

Choose a color that matches your lips, not your lipstick. Before drawing a line with the lip pencil, begin by dotting it at various points along the outline of your lips. Then, drawing very lightly, use the liner to connect the dots.

Apply lipstick

Pick up the lipstick and apply the color, starting at the center of the upper lip and moving outward toward one corner. Bring the lipstick back to the center and run it outward toward the other corner. Repeat with the lower lip. To fill in any missing color, dab the lipstick with your pinky, then dot the color onto your lips with the finger.

Blot your lips

To blot, which will make lipstick last longer and keep it off your teeth, take a facial tissue and fold it in half. Hold it in two hands, with the fold facing you, then bring it between your lips and press your lips together gently then release. To make lipstick last even longer, dust a little powder on the tissue before blotting.

Tip: Avoid deep reds if you have thin lips. They tend to make lips look smaller.

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While some brides prefer renting or buying already made wedding gowns, others enjoy having their dream dresses tailored to their fit and style. In Rwanda, it’s common for many brides to rent used and new gowns while a small number have them home-made.

Whichever way, selecting the perfect dress for your big day is no small feat. However, to make it easy for you, we bring you ideas on how and who to bring with you during this time.

Net Photo : Lace covered open back wedding gown

How to approach the first shopping trip

Visiting two to three bridal shops a day should be enough otherwise, you will over saturate yourself and you won’t remember what you tried on.

Look at magazines and designer and bridal shop websites to get an idea of what you’re drawn to in terms of style, shape, attitude, and bring those photos to the first appointment with your designer or to the gowns store.

If you need a consultant, make an appointment during the week, if possible, or first thing in the morning on the weekend, when the store is quietest.

Who should the bride bring with her?
Invite no more than two or three people to go with you. Maybe it can be your best friend, mom, in-law or any other person of your choice. When a bride comes in with an entourage, and everyone has an opinion, it’s difficult for her to express herself. Often she ends up not making a decision and will come back on her own another day.

Helping a zero-size bride in on her dream dress
Keep an open mind. More often than not, brides choose dresses that look nothing like the pictures they bring in, so try on everything the consultant brings you, even if it doesn’t look like “you.”

Wedding gowns are made differently than regular dresses. They have layers and linings that pull you in all the right places, so a style that doesn’t normally flatter you might be just the one for your wedding. Another thing that sometimes happens is a bride says she doesn’t like princess gowns, but falls in love with one when she puts it on—it is, after all, the most bridal of all looks.

Also, there are “hanger dresses” which are usually made of a thin material, like silk charmeuse or fine lace, and they look like sticks on the hangers. But on the right bride, these gowns are stunning.

How to know the right color of the gown

Wedding dresses come in hundreds of shades of white. In terms of general categories, you will find “diamond white,” also known as “silk white,” and light, medium, and dark ivory, but these vary quite a bit depending on the designer.

Most gowns don’t actually come in pure white, which is good because it washes out all but the darkest skin tones. Sometimes the material also has an unbecoming bluish cast.

Diamond white, which is a little creamier, is the most popular choice and looks great with most complexions. Light ivory is also fairly universally flattering. If you are pale, medium to dark ivory can provide a nice contrast that will help brighten up the skin. Always try on dresses in a few different shades to determine what looks best on you.

The post Tips for wedding dress shopping appeared first on Rwanda Fashion.

It’s time to finally know what we think know with real secrets and actual truths about beauty maintenance. From skin irritants to manicure-pedicure preparation to getting the most out of your hair, these are beauty secrets that every woman should know.

Your skin cleanser might be making things worse

Cleansing can irritate even healthy skin whether sensitive or problem skin. The solution to cleansing without further irritation regardless of skin type is to look for a gentle cleanser that dissolves dirt and excess oil without leaving the skin feeling tight or tingly. This means a cleanser without detergents, alcohols, fragrances, irritants or ingredients that block pores. The best irritants are lemon, mint, cinnamon and essential oils.

However, genetics play a big part in achieving a perfect enviable glowing skin though they genetics need help. It comes in the form of exfoliation. Exfoliating your skin allows skin-care serums and creams to perform better through improved penetration hence brightening the skin.

 Warning: Those with active acne should only exfoliate with salicylic acid, pending approval from their dermatologist.

Retinoids are the best things your aging skin isn’t using

First developed to treat acne, retinoids, or retinols, are chemical derivatives of vitamin A that can smooth out fine facial lines. They help thicken both the epidermis and dermis, exfoliate dead skin cells, speed the turnover of keratinocytes and increase production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, a carbohydrate that occurs naturally in the body and serves as a lubricant for joints, muscles and skin. But retinoids also increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. It’s good to use them at night for optimal benefit.

Net photo: Using sweet scrub
Want sweet skin, try a sweet scrub.

Regular facials are essential to maintaining healthy skin and at-home facials can work just as well as pricey spa treatments. There a number of ways to get pro treatment at home, but look first to sugar, one of nature’s great skin-sloughing agents. Applying a sugar scrub in gentle circular motions, followed by a lukewarm wash and pat-dry, can do wonders for your skin. Follow with a light steam by boiling a pot water, removing it from the stove and standing over it for a few minutes.

The body scrub you haven’t tried

Faces often get preferential scrub treatment, while our poor bodies are neglected. From scuffed-up feet to dry, scaly skin on your legs, elbows and arms, our bodies can take a beating. Oftentimes, our daily scrubs are the culprit, however there’s an easy feel-like-new remedy and it might be in your kitchen. Mix coconut oil, kosher salt or sugar, and some minced basil into a paste, and scrub away. Again, steam helps. But doing this regularly helps even more.

Better soak for your manicure and post-pedicure wrap

For a better manicure, mix shower gel with the warm water and soak your hands in the solution for five minutes, the result is newly soft manicured ready cuticles. For pedicure, even a pumice stone can’t remedy all of the dry, gnarly foot problems from a full day on your feet.

Try this: rub petroleum jelly on your feet and wrap them in cellophane. Leave it on for 15 minutes and you will have baby soft feet.

To hydrate hair correctly, avoid the root

Deep conditioning is obviously important to fight dry or frizzy hair. Whether you use a restorative conditioner or simple olive oil, apply olive oil and sit in the sun. Start with the tips of your hair and work your way up to mid-shaft. But avoid your roots: the scalp produces natural oils to help on the near end of things. Conditioning treatments could prevent them from helping.

That’s not dandruff you are treating

What many people think of dandruff is simply a dry scalp but the dandruff shampoo might be the problem. Dandruff is a result of not rinsing your hair properly and residue build up from the bad product. If dandruff isn’t going away, try rinsing your hair a bit more thoroughly or upgrade your hair product.

Your short hair might make you look old

Cutting your hair too short could be risky if you are trying to maintain a youthful look. Having a little visible hair behind the ear will soften your neckline and make you appear a bit younger.

The post Beauty secrets every woman should know appeared first on Rwanda Fashion.

Things you will need

• Clothes that fit
• Dark or neutral colored clothes
• Long necklaces

These are helpful tips on how to dress to look slim

Dress in one color from head to toe. When you dress in one color from head to toe, the eyes are more focused on the vertical column of color than the width of the figure proportions. This will create a slimming look and is known as monochromatic dressing.

Wear dark and neutral colors. Avoid wearing light and bright colors and stick to dressing in dark and neutral colors. The lighter and brighter colors appear to advance towards you and create volume. Avoid creating more volume to your look, so stick with the dark and neutral colors.

Avoid too tight clothes. Wear clothes that fit and flatter your figure, not clothes that draw attention to the wrong places. You will be more comfortable and not so self-conscious in clothes that fit.

Choose accessories that flatter your figure. Avoid large belts if your tummy is a problem area because the large belt will draw attention to your tummy. Avoid short necklaces if you have a double chin because it will draw attention to your chin. Longer necklaces will be more flattering. Look for accessories that flatter your figure and don’t draw attention to problem areas.

Create a layered look. Choose a jacket, sweater, or vest to layer over your blouse or shirt and created a slimmer look. Avoid a shorter jacket and opt for a jacket that is hip length or longer. If you choose to wear a jacket, be sure to wear it unbuttoned so a vertical line at the torso is created, thus resulting in a slimmer look.

Wear heeled shoes. With skirts or dress pants, wear at minimum a small-heeled shoe. The higher the heel is on a shoe, the slimmer you will look.

Maintain a positive attitude. Focus on the positive qualities you have, such as your smile, eyes, legs, hair and so on. The goal is to dress to look slim, focus on the positive and cover up the negative. Continue to eat healthy and exercise regularly and learn to love your body the way it is.

Tips and warnings

• Wear a jacket over blouses or tops and keep the jacket unbuttoned to create a slimmer look.
• Avoid undergarments that bunch or dig into in the skin, such as bra straps that are too tight and pinch rolls into the skin.

The post How to Dress to Look Slim appeared first on Rwanda Fashion.

A skirt is a garment made of a single piece of material fitted to the body and they vary according to the personal taste of the wearer. Whether long or tall, selecting the right skirt should depend on the style and shape of your body.

However, long skirts can swallow up Petites and thin-boned body figures, making you look smaller and it can also make you look stumpy. The trick is to choose a maxi skirt that fits snugly (that cuddles) around your hips and thighs to maintain a sleek line.

Taller women can pull off the long tiered skirt better than petites because they can handle the extra fabric; it looks more streamlined on their height.

Guidelines to wearing long skirts:

• Make sure the length falls long enough to touch your ankle bones (the tiny rounded bone at the sides of your ankles) or at least long enough to fall right above the thinnest part of your ankles. Showing off the thinnest part of your ankles creates the illusion of slim legs.

• Show off some skin on top with a low V-neck tee (t-shirt) to avoid the old-fashioned matronly look. Fitted and shorter tops look best with long skirts.

The post How to wear long skirts appeared first on Rwanda Fashion.

In this case, having a small waist can make one’s body look unproportional. If you want to create curves or play up with them, the key is applying a few simple rules to help you look your best.

Whatever your shape, these five strategies can help you define and flatter your middle.

Crossover Neckline

A crossover Neckline redirects focus from the bust to the waist. An ample chest can often meld into the waist, creating the illusion of weight around the middle. But the diagonal lines of this neckline help minimize breasts while pointing to a nicely defined midriff (The middle outer portion of the front of the human body, extending roughly from just below the breast to the waistline)

Crossover neckline dresses

Band

A dress or top with an adjustable band in the waist makes it easy for one to look full on the middle part of the body (stomach).  Look for a top that nips in right under the bustline to highlight the narrowest part of the torso. An elastic or tie waist helps you customize the fit.

adjustable band dress

Adjustable band top      

Fit-and-Flare Dress

A fit-and-flare dress downplays wide hips. Show off a smaller top half with a tailored bodice. The full (not poufy) skirt hides the lower body without exaggerating the waist-to-hip ratio.

Fit-and-flare dress

Peplum Cut

A peplum cut skirt or dress adds curves to a straight body. Go for a jacket, a blouse, or, in this case, a skirt with a strategically placed flare to create the appearance of shapely hips and a nipped-in waist.

Peplum skirt

peplum dress

Wide Belt

A wide belt accentuates an hourglass figure. Here, the big belt works to create one focal point: the cinched waistline.

Woman wearing a wide belt

The post How to play up your waist appeared first on Rwanda Fashion.