Burundi fashion show puts recycled materials on the runway

The "Kamenge Drop" in northern Bujumbura celebrates local youths' talent - and showcases innovative ways of using recycled waste to create something new and aesthetic.

In Burundi, despite a number of initiatives, waste recycling is still not widely developed. But at the Kamenge Youth Centre in northern Bujumbura, a designer and artist is determined to explore a new path to more recycling and less environmental pollution.

Her solution: a fashion show.

During a ten-day training programme as part of Green Diplomacy Week, Manuela Minka coached twelve young designers to create their own collections.

The highlight: presenting their creations during a fashion show.

"Recycling allows us to see that if we look at a bottle or waste differently, we can transform it. Above all, we must take care of our mother, the Earth," explains Minka.

For the young designers, the programme is a success. Apart from learning how to create their outfits from plastic waste or discarded mosquito nets, many have also come to see waste differently.

"If you make something out of these materials, or turn them into different objects, you can earn money from them," says Arsène Irakoze, one of the participants.

In the audience as well, youngsters have been inspired to create beautiful things out of what is commonly thrown away - and some can even imagine a career in fashion for themselves.

The "Kamenge Drop", as imagined by Manuela Minka, seems to have accomplished its mission.

Related articles

'Sape' a cultural movement showcased at the 6th edition of DR Congo Fashion Week

Ivory Coast fashion designers storm the international stage

Pointe-Noire celebrates African textiles at 13th International Fashion Carousel

From the same country

Burundi marks 33 years since Ndadaye’s assassination amid concerns over democracy

WFP urgently seeking over $30 million to keep feeding Congolese refugees in Burundi

Burundi agrees to accept third-country US deportees

02:19 'Sape' a cultural movement showcased at the 6th edition of DR Congo Fashion Week

02:18

Ivory Coast fashion designers storm the international stage

02:20 Pointe-Noire celebrates African textiles at 13th International Fashion Carousel

Burundi marks 33 years since Ndadaye’s assassination amid concerns over democracy

02:02 WFP urgently seeking over $30 million to keep feeding Congolese refugees in Burundi

01:31

Burundi agrees to accept third-country US deportees

02:19 'Sape' a cultural movement showcased at the 6th edition of DR Congo Fashion Week

02:18

Ivory Coast fashion designers storm the international stage

02:20 Pointe-Noire celebrates African textiles at 13th International Fashion Carousel

Burundi marks 33 years since Ndadaye’s assassination amid concerns over democracy

02:02 WFP urgently seeking over $30 million to keep feeding Congolese refugees in Burundi

01:31

Burundi agrees to accept third-country US deportees

NO COMMENT 01:00 France: Artists and collectors gather at Art Basel Paris despite unrest

THIS IS CULTURE 02:20 Art as dialogue: Kokou Ferdinand Makouvia at the Lyon Biennale

NO COMMENT 01:00 UK: Frieze London blurs the lines between art, gaming and reality

BUSINESS AFRICA 11:19 Dangote’s Big Energy Expansion: From Nigerian Refinery to African Powerhouse {Business Africa}

NEWS

Go to video

South African ostriches plucked alive for luxury fashion

THIS IS CULTURE

02:20

Akinbode Akinbiyi turns everyday african life into art

01:05 Niger Niger accuses Chad of deadly drone attack in which two civilians died

01:02 United Kingdom Harry Kane become first English footballer to win Ballon d'Or in 25 years

01:59 Kenya Human rights activists condemn alleged abduction of Tanzanian govt critic