South Sudan Fashion Week reveals hidden potential

South Sudan Fashion Week reveals hidden creative potential, shining a spotlight on the country’s fashion industry through up-and-coming designers and models.

While the world is watching the exploits of South Sudan’s basketball team, the country is attracting attention in an entirely different field: fashion. South Sudan Fashion Week has been held annually since 2019, highlighting the country’s creative and artistic potential. On August 3 this year, 10 South Sudanese designers took to the catwalk to showcase their collections alongside 47 male and female models, marking a major milestone for the thriving industry.

History Returns

South Sudan Fashion Week was founded in 2008 and was interrupted in 2013 due to civil war. It was resumed in 2019. This revival is the result of the unremitting efforts of the event’s founder, fashion designer Trisha Zindia. Zindia, 35, welcomes the progress made in recent years: That has changed in recent years. Our models have started showing for us and are now showing in Milan. That is something that touches me a lot. »

The role of the diaspora

The fashion week also saw strong participation from the South Sudanese diaspora, with designers such as Khmanne KunArrobb, who trained in Canada and is based in Qatar, returning to help change perceptions of South Sudan. Kun ArobHaving left the country forty years ago, I am honoured to be back and see the huge potential of the local fashion industry: There are many South Sudanese models in the biggest fashion shows: Milan, London, New York… »

Despite the enthusiasm, challenges remain. Access to materials such as fabrics remains a major difficulty for local designers, who often have to travel abroad to source their supplies. Trisha Zindia called for the development of local modelling agencies to protect models and promote South Sudanese designers. We need to start building infrastructure KunArrobb said, stressing the importance of supporting this emerging industry.

The future of fashion in Sudan

South Sudan Fashion Week not only promotes fashion, but also provides important economic and social opportunities. Models and fashion designers have the opportunity to change their own lives and their families’ lives through this platform.” It touched me to see one man manage to change his family’s life, pay for his siblings’ schooling, and provide for his parents. », Trisha Zindia is filled with emotion.