A day in the elegant universe of the artist with an African soul and Mediterranean light.
We all know that there are moments that cannot simply rest in those words that vanish as soon as they are spoken, but deserve to be unique. Like when your gaze lingers, lost in a gesture, and finds love; when silence prepares itself for the next movement and reaches precision; or in that imperceptible pause that gives me the time to see that the design just traced by my graphite pencil is the one I had been seeking.
This is how our story begins, that of Wyne Kirabo, in the heart of Mediterranean and cosmopolitan Barcelona, which, as a harmonious witness, welcomes the encounter between our two souls: the African, instinctive and profound, and the European, methodical and measured.
Seated at the centre of my atelier, I watch the morning light filter through the tall windows and play with the shadows of the piles of blank papers, ready to capture the promise of a new collection. There is no rush, only the calm rhythm of ideas taking shape, conversing with each fold, each texture, each combination of colours. My eyes rise, drifting in search of inspiration, but decide to stop for a moment at the reflection of the piece dressing the mannequin by the window. It is Emirandira (Roots), one of our signature designs that gives its name to the Roots collection.
What I love most about Emirandira is that it is a dress made of kikoi fabric and golden lace that, to truly exist, needs you. The golden sparks are designed to help the eye capture the memory of art through your movement, while the kikoi evokes the warmth of the earth that sustains your soul. Together, they invite you to wear it and become part of a dialogue of cultures and sensibilities, a gesture of respect for tradition and for creative instinct.
Outside, Barcelona awakens in a rush to arrive on time to every appointment; inside, time seems to move more slowly, waiting for my colleagues to arrive at our own temple of ideas, where luxury becomes our common language.
The Emirandira dress on the runway, a subtle balance of cultures and stories. ©Wyne Kirabo
At noon, I have the pleasure of welcoming the client who has chosen to dedicate her time to share it with us. As we walk through the atelier, we don’t only talk about composition and fabrics, but about the moments shared with that silk gown she wore at a gala, that premium cotton dress that accompanied her to a meeting with influential friends, or the embroidered piece she proudly wore at the opening of the latest art exhibition.
At Wyne Kirabo, we like to go a little further and create stories one can wear. In this way, we not only have the opportunity to elevate beauty and status, but also the coherence of character. One of the recurring moments that always brings me joy is when a client stops in front of the Yonjo (Elegant) dress, another of our signature designs, from the Black & White collection.
The first reaction is usually a soft arch of the eyebrows, followed by the sparkle in her eyes, ending in a subtle “Wow!” and a pause to hold the first impression. That exact reflection is what gives meaning to all those kilometres walked between hundreds of rolls of fabric to find the perfect black fabric with 3D motifs resting gently over the semi-transparent tulle. But it doesn’t end there. She takes a few steps forward to approach the design, to feel it with her fingertips, to weigh the fall and texture of the lower part, adding another layer to the experience.
Meanwhile, I love explaining that the combination of this fabric’s texture with the premium cotton featuring African motifs on the sleeves gives it a narrative, the very thing that turns a design into a work of art. This sensitivity and taste are what help you be recognised and highlight your identity.
The Yonjo dress blends black-and-white 3D textures with African-patterned accents. ©Wyne Kirabo
This harmony has not gone unnoticed, and it has been accompanied by international recognition and enriching experiences that nourish our vision, for which I can only be grateful.
Being awarded Best Emerging African Designer at the ASFAs and seeing my mother step on stage to collect the award, appearing at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) and seeing my design on the red carpet alongside world-renowned personalities, being featured among The 20 Young African Creatives to Know by the prestigious Nigerian magazine The Africa Report, among others, has helped me shape my message.
Collaborating with artists such as German actress Annabelle Mandeng, Senegalese musician Momi Maiga, and Spanish painter Bianca Nguema, and seeing my pieces featured in magazines such as Fashion United or Bunte Magazin, in TV programmes from various countries and in reports by top-tier newspapers, has guided me through an introspective journey to understand that authenticity comes from within.
With effort and dedication, I’ve been fortunate to share my knowledge in academia as a guest lecturer at the University of Barcelona (Spain) and as a jury member in the Fashion Degree at the University of Girona (Spain).
All these steps, discreet yet firm, sustain my philosophy, which now belongs to all of us: luxury is harmony, respect, and silent intensity.
Annabelle Mandeng dressing ‘Emandira’ by Wyne Kirabo at the Berlinale ©Gerald Matzca photo
I find great joy dedicating the afternoon to everything that helps the parts become a coherent whole. One of the things that motivates me most is sitting down with our head of photography, Yerafain, and the genius of hair and styling, Jordi Valera, to shape the creative direction of upcoming photo sessions and let our imagination fly.
Do we want the images to be shot in a desert to evoke vastness, or do we prefer the controlled environment of the studio to play with perspectives and angles? How far can we push the photographic angle and find that point where the artistic and commercial sides are in harmony? Does each image respect the different realities and beliefs that coexist? Which hairstyles can resonate most respectfully with the original idea of the collection? Where can we dare to go a little further?
There’s something magical about this creative process in which you must find balance between what you wish to do and the challenges that appear along the way. Other afternoons call for attending to media, discovering new fabrics, or losing myself in the mechanical symphony of the sewing machine.
And why all this? Because we know that for the woman who chooses Wyne Kirabo, wearing a piece is not just getting dressed. It is walking with an elegance that does not shout, but is felt in every gesture. It is part of an experience that combines African roots, European precision, and her own presence, with coherence and discretion. It is recognising that exclusivity is shown, yet truly resides in what is felt and shared when giving life to a design that uplifts you.
Every action, therefore, becomes part of the same creative process, the one that transforms routine into art and gives it life.
Wyne Kirabo at the atelier ©Wyne Kirabo
Finally, I devote myself to our social dimension: Wyne Kirabo Social. This encompasses both social support projects and mentorship initiatives for emerging African designers. In the first case, we collaborate with various organisations that bring education, light and hope to communities that need a small push to move forward with dignity. Through the mentorship programme, we’ve created a space to share knowledge with designers from around the world, to guide them to grow, and, in turn, to grow together.
All of this is part of the Wyne Kirabo universe, through which we offer added value: a cultural dialogue, an invitation to balance, and a luxury experience that naturally connects authenticity with prestige. It is a luxury that endures because it is lived, shared, and appreciated from within, and observed, loved, and desired from without.
Because in the end, true luxury is not only what you wear, but what inhabits you. It is the silence before beauty, the harmony between cultures, and the elegance of knowing who you are. At Wyne Kirabo, every design reflects this essence: an invitation to live with grace, with balance, with depth.
Designer Wyne Kirabo ©Wyne Kirabo
Bio:
Wyne Kirabo is a Barcelona-based fashion brand founded by Ugandan designer Wyne Kirabo and Catalan artist Gerard Porta. Rooted in Afro-European influences, the brand blends artisanal craftsmanship with contemporary design, creating exclusive, minimalist pieces that celebrate cultural fusion and timeless elegance.
Their distinctive approach to fashion has earned them widespread recognition:
- Winner of the ASFAs Award for Best Emerging Designer
- Collaborations with the University of Barcelona and the University of Girona
- Named among the Top 20 Young African Creatives to Watch by The Africa Report
- Featured in major national and international media, events, and fashion shows
- Nominated for Top 40 Under 40 by Uganda’s New Vision newspaper
- Collaborations with artists such as Annabelle Mandeng, Momi Maiga and Bianca Nguema
As the brand continues to grow, it remains dedicated to its mission: to create fashion that transcends borders
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