FestivalAFRICANA brings Rwandan fashion, art, culture to Pittsburgh

Rwanda and Pittsburgh have something in common: This East African country is known as the “land of the hills.”

The two areas will share a connection this weekend for “FestivalAFRICANA: Rwanda,” an event that showcases the creativity of fashion, beauty and culture.

There is a face-to-face component on Fridays as well as virtual offers Friday through Sunday.

The festival is produced by the Pittsburgh-based FashionAFRICA, an organization based on a global celebration of fashion, culture and social justice.

“I’m always motivated by the creative process involved in planning events like this,” says Demeatria Boccella, of Squirrel Hill, who founded FashionAFRICANA. “My background is art and culture and I really wanted to highlight not only fashion and design, but culture and what inspires these creatives to do what they do.”

This event must be completely virtual. Organizers added a face-to-face event Friday from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Grable Visitor Center at The Frick Pittsburgh in Point Breeze. There will be an online celebration from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. From 3pm to 4:30pm on Saturday, there will be an online documentary showing Rwanda through the eyes of Grammy-nominated fashion designers, artists, art producers and jazz vocalists.

The programming will be rebroadcast online from 14:30 to 16:00 on Sundays. Virtual events can be seen at FestivalAFRICANA website.

Boccella said Frick was the perfect place because of its “beautiful parks and campus.”

Those attending Friday’s party will get what Boccella called a “sneak peek” at the weekend’s event, which includes a fashion design display book.

Guest can register here.

Boccella said she started FashionAFRICANA to “advance the cultural equality of the African diaspora through the lens of quality programs that illuminate the history of art and culture.”

It has grown from a regional event to an event with international reach through FestivalAFRICANA.

The show series premiered in fall 2020 with Ghana online highlights. It is a multi-series educational platform that explores the beauty, culture and history of Black through fashion and art.

For this festival, Boccella collaborated with MoonLook from France and Illume Creative Studio from Rwanda.

MoonLook is a company featuring brands and creatives from Africa.

Ilume Creative Studio is a communications agency. Creative director and curator Anne Mazimhaka and producer Joan Mazimhaka founded Illume Creative Studio.

Boccella co-produced the event with Nelly Wandji, a Cameroonian-based gallery and brand and retail specialist.

Courtesy of FestivalAFRICANA

FestivalAFRICANA: Rwanda showcases fashion, art and other creatives in face-to-face and virtual events June 25-27.

Boccella says the combination of virtual and in-person events creates a way to reach people around the world.

“Rwanda has great fashion, home decor, jewelry and even beauty products,” says Boccella. “Each area we highlight at FestivalAFRICANA brings its own unique aesthetic.”