The world of fashion in the Democratic Republic of Congo is about to experience a new era with the imminent launch of the Regional Institute of Fashion – Kobo Art Fashion in Kinshasa. This initiative, the result of a partnership between Kobo Hub and the French Embassy in the DRC, heralds a new wind for the fashion industry in the Congo Basin region. Scheduled to open its doors in May 2025, this institute is positioned as a hub dedicated to promoting local designers and showcasing Congolese creative talent.
At the heart of this innovative project are three major pillars: an incubation and training program to support young talents in developing their entrepreneurial skills, a permanent exhibition dedicated to SAPE to celebrate the cultural heritage of this emblematic phenomenon, and finally, an observatory of fashion in Africa dedicated to multidisciplinary research to shed light on the challenges and developments in the fashion sector on the continent.
The Regional Institute of Fashion – Kobo Art Fashion presents itself as an unprecedented opportunity for local designers, offering a unique space for creation, training and exhibition to stimulate innovation and promote Congolese cultural heritage. Beyond training new designers, this institute aims to position Kinshasa as the fashion capital of Africa and to shine internationally.
The dynamism and commitment of Kobo Fashion is also materialized through the establishment of calls for applications to select talented designers and researchers, thus calling for a community committed and passionate about the development of fashion in the DRC.
Finally, by creating an ecosystem conducive to exchange, collaboration and creativity, the Regional Institute of Fashion – Kobo Art Fashion embodies an ambitious and bold vision for the future of fashion in Africa. It is an invitation to celebrate the innovation, diversity and excellence of Congolese fashion, which carries a rich and inspiring identity that is just waiting to flourish on a global scale.
In short, the advent of this institute marks a major turning point for the fashion sector in the DRC, promising to reveal and propel local talents onto the international stage. One more step towards the emergence of a creative, bold and meaningful African fashion, just waiting to shine in the spotlight on the world stage.