Meet Moses Twahirwa, The Rwandan Designer Who Designed Sophia the Robot’s Umushanana

As was the norm historically, purple clothes were only worn by magistrates, emperors and other aristocrats in Rome, Italy. In ancient Rwanda, royals were typically seen in black and white multi-textured clothes known as Umwitero. It is upon this rich cultural heritage that Moses Twahirwa uses to build, tear down and reconstruct relatable urban wear that is highly sought after locally and internationally today.

Twahirwa started his fashion brand, Moshions back in 2015. His first collection was presented during Kigali Fashion Week in 2015, and it’s been one success story after another.

Inspired by Rwanda’s regal fashion, Moshions produces clothing that ooze class, elegance, and grace while infusing the enthralling monochromatic and geometric designs, Imigongo, discovered in the 18th Century. Imigongo is an art form popular in Rwanda traditionally made by women using cow dung often in the colors black, white and red which are painted on walls, pottery, and canvas.

His dashing designs are some of sort of fixture on the bodies of some of the most famous people in Rwanda. However, the brand’s most recent famous client is Sophia the Robot.

The robot wore a custom made umushanana dress with imigongo beads at the Transform Africa Summit which held at the Kigali Convention Centre last month.

Explore some of the brand’s undeniably exquisite designs.

Follow the brand on Instagram @Moshions or www.moshions.rw

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