Judicaelle Irakoze Explains The Strategy Behind The ‘Love and Colors’ Fashion Show for Fistula

My name is Judicaelle Irakoze, a Burundian by nationality. I run ‘Abigaelle Closet’, a company that deals in fashion and clothing operating in Portland US. It’s an online store, working with wholesalers in China, Dubai and Italy where we get clothing we sell to the rest of the world. We make custom made bridal apparel as well. Through the company, we also have our Made in Burundi line that has clothes designed and tailored by our local partners in Burundi.

As part of my philanthropic work, my mission from day one has always been to use fashion to empower lives. I started by doing fashion shows, a platform I believe helps gather talent while collecting funds for the vulnerable in the process. We started with an East African tour last year. We were in Rwanda where we did a show for Burundian refugees in the country. This summer, my team is visiting Uganda.
Why Uganda? Uganda is ranked number 3 in the world with women suffering from Fistula. We thought it was appropriate to dedicate our trip to the country to that cause. My team and I are working closely with Halima Namakula, who owns an organization helping women with the condition. We shall visit them, and see how to make some change in their lives.

The fashion show is aimed at raising awareness for women with the condition. It will bring together local designers from across the country at Golf Course Hotel where they’ll showcase their work. The theme of the show is Love and Colors! I choose Love, to celebrate the human interaction which gathers all of us together. I strongly believe the world has enough of successful people but, less people with love and compassion. So I’m using this initiative to show that, through fashion we can be able to empower and change lives. I choose colors because Africa is made of many shades, and nothing reflects this continent the way color does.

I’ve never gotten the chance to go back home (Burundi), because of the current situation there, but I’m still doing all that I can to help. On our trip to Rwanda last year, we donated over 200 mattresses to students at Lycee Kiganda school who were sleeping on empty beds. Many of these were refugees from Burundi. Also with our Made on Burundi fashion line, we’ve managed to create jobs for many creative i.e. tailors, designers and sales people.

I’m beyond grateful to the Ugandan designers who have agreed to join me on the Ugandan leg of this tour. It shows how kind and loving Ugandans are. I’m also hugely grateful to the Ugandan team I’m working with on the project. Thank you Joram and Daron.
And, I most definitely hope to see you all at the show.

Love Judicaelle

Satisfashion UG is a media partner of this event