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A night of art, music, fashion and African cuisine at Onomo

Thursday December 24 2020
Fashion

A model on the runway during the Africa's Finest Concert series at Kigali's Onomo Hotel. PHOTO | Andrew I. KAZIBWE

By ANDREW I KAZIBWE

The year has been damp for live arts in Rwanda, what with the Covid-19 lockdown and related preventative measures that near wiped the sector of the table in manner of speaking.

So it was that the recent unveiling of Kigali Onomo Hotel’s Ijuru restaurant and bar, located in Kiyovu was celebrated especially for its partnership with the Universal Music Africa (Uma), an international artistic management company that seeks to promote and support the fi nest talents Africa has to offer in art, music, cuisine, and fashion.

This set of the Africa’s Finest Live concerts series, which attracted a mild audience on an invitation-only basis.

The first edition was held on December 10, starting with an art exhibition by Selekarts, who took the audience through an expedition of abstract acrylics on canvas painting of nature’s transformation.

A live music performance by Afro jazz and R&B artist Andy Bumuntu, Uma’s newly signed act was one that tickled many for its serving.

The event’s major highlight was the fashion show by Touch of Rwanda designer Charlotte Shema, whose latest collection is dubbed "Rise," introduced three-runway sessions which featured 11 male and female models.

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The show included smart casual, evening gowns, and cocktail wear, made out of stretch cotton, so  jeans material, linen, wool, cotton, which the designer blends with Ikitengi fabric for a distinctive wear. 

These outfits were complemented by facemasks. Shema’s smart casual wear may be worn daily for office, meetings, simple evening over cocktails, dinner or parties.

Shema is not new for she showcased at the Kigali Fashion Week in 2018 and later in South Korea,in 2019 she was featured at the Tokyo Africa collection. She further showcased at the UK Fashion Tour in the UK.

As a way of keeping her brand afloat, she established a sewing course, and has resulted in her designing uniforms for restaurants, and masks for different companies.

Onomo Hotel is all set for live performances especially having put in place Covid-19 safety and sanitisation practices. This sits well with the hotel's accolades: It recently received the prestigious.

Safeguard Hygiene Excellence and Safety Label certification from Bureau Veritas, the world leader in testing, inspection, and certification services.

“We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring a new look and feel to Kigali’s dining and event venue scene,” says Emile Nizey , Onomo Hotel Kigali’s general manager.