Design d’identité is an extraordinary art event at the French Institute in Krakow, where fashion and art intertwine to tell the story of identity through the lens of migration, strength of spirit and creative expression.
This event is more than a fashion show and exhibition – it is a space where art is intertwined with personal stories of struggle, survival and transformation. Through the prism of fashion and art, participants have the opportunity to explore the extraordinary narratives of artists who draw inspiration from their own experiences, roots and cultural contexts.
Refugee Roots, a collection by Josue Kami Uwihanganye, is a deeply personal story encapsulated in fabrics and cuts. The designer, born in a refugee camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo, tells the story of his journey – from difficult beginnings, to separation from his family, to fulfilling his dream of fashion.
“My collection is called Refugee Roots because I was born in a refugee camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo. To realize my dream of becoming a fashion designer, I had to overcome numerous difficulties. After the war in Rwanda ended, our family was broken up, and I was separated from my brothers, who were on the front lines or in prison. My hometown was full of single mothers. My mother is a strong woman who started a small business growing bananas and sugar cane. When I was a child, I was surrounded by nature and farmers, most of whom were women, trying to earn a living and support their children. They had to take over the responsibilities of the men who were away from home. In Rwanda it is said : “you’ll know a man’s happiness by his wife’s clothes” – and that’s why once a week, on ‘payday,’ the streets were full of women in colorful outfits who wanted to show off and maintain a sense of family dignity. My mother taught me never to blame anyone for my misfortune, but to see opportunities to improve my lot and succeed.
I want to connect my collection to the life lessons I learned from working on banana plantations and sugar cane fields – these sources of income for my family. The focal point of my collection is “payday,” when women take to the streets in their beautiful clothes, full of pride and happiness. My collection consists of 8 outfits, 5 women’s and 3 men’s.” – Josue Kami Uwihanganye
Lucienne Smagali’s accompanying PATTERNS exhibition adds multidimensionality to the event, showing art as a way to explore patterns – both visual and social. Together, fashion and art are intertwined here in a space to reflect on the roots, transformation and strength of the human spirit.
Source : French Institute
Photography : Stanisław Wielopolski
