British High Commissioner to Rwanda Alison Thorpe announced the plans on Thursday during a ceremony marking the 77th birthday of His Majesty King Charles III at the British High Commissioner's residence in Kigali.
The event brought together members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, cultural figures, and friends of the UK and Rwanda, with guests raising glasses in honour of the King and the enduring partnership between the two nations.
In her remarks, Thorpe highlighted the growing UK-Rwanda collaboration across development, trade, and culture, noting that the launch of Creative DNA aims to showcase fashion as a viable career path for young people while boosting Rwanda's creative economy.
"This is just the first step in the British Council's long-term plans to support capacity building within Rwanda's wider creative and cultural industries," she stated, adding, "These projects remind us that bilateral relations are about people, collaboration, creativity, and having fun."
At the event, the envoy also celebrated the contributions of eight Rwandan designers who participated in a unique design project, creating dresses that blended UK and Rwandan culture for the High Commissioner in collaboration with experts from the University of Westminster.
Patrick Muhire, founder of Inkanda House, who emerged top in the project, described the experience as both humbling and inspiring.
'I wanted to make a dress that she could never find elsewhere, a dress that represents my country,' he explained. He chose inyegamo, a traditional Rwandan material once used in home décor, to symbolise Rwanda's heritage.
All eight designers who participated in the programme are set to travel to the UK next year for a fashion show and cultural exchange at the University of Westminster, while also exploring new markets for their creations.
Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, praised the project, framing it as a symbol of the creativity and dynamism of UK-Rwanda relations.
'Initiatives such as the collaborative fashion design project between Rwandan designers, the University of Westminster, the British High Commission in Kigali, and the Rwanda High Commission in London reflect the creativity and dynamism of our bilateral ties. This is only the beginning,' he said, affirming the Ministry's support for efforts that strengthen the country's creative industries.
The Creative DNA programme is expected to provide Rwandan designers with opportunities to develop their skills, gain international exposure, and access new markets.
The birthday celebration featured performances by young dancers from the Sherry Silver Foundation, music by Mike Kayihura, and Alyn Sano & Band, among others.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
