Maison Sangwa

Empowering craftsmenship through handmade sustainable fashion

We create unique comfortable clothes through the empowerment of African craftmanship for a more sustainable world. The clothes are handmade by solopreneurs in Africa and are of the highest quality - haute couture.

Our purpose

We strive for an ethical and sustainable world by making our clothes as much as possible from eco-friendly material & for providing our craftsmen with a consistent and fair income by offering them continuous work. In the long term, we aim to employ these solopreneurs, thus providing a stable and fixed income for their livelihoods.

By who

Our clothes are handmade by solopreneurs in Africa and are of the highest quality, showcasing our meticulous focus in the craft and exceptional attention to detail. Our beautiful African designs are available for the western market to enjoy a testament of individual distinctive expression of standout clothing in a conformist market.

For you

Our clothes are wearable and made for people from any ethinicity. We’re making a statement by stepping away from fast fashion and by recognizing the handmade craftsmenship in slow fashion. We champion our craftsmen’s skills by rewarding them with consistent work and fair pay in decent working conditions. By wearing our clothes you’ll be joining a movement of sustainable fashion in our global society.

Our story

Our journey from the beginning

2018 – DECEMBER

During my first trip back to Rwanda - since coming to Europe in 1998 - I saw the vibrant colours in everyday traditional and casual attire. On my last day my aunt gave me two shirts of full African Wax. I fell in love with the prints, the fabric, the comfort, the fitting and everything about them.

2022 – SEPTEMBER

Post-lockdown from Covid19, I went back to the land of a thousand hills, determined to come back with enough shirts to complete my wardrobe. I came back with 21 (!) shirts. Inspired by finally being able to dress comfortably in a way that speaks to my identity and values while knowing that what I’m wearing has been ethically made by African craftsmanship and having bought it at a correct price for its value and for the work of the craftsmen, I started getting the idea of actually doing something bigger with it.

2023 – DECEMBER

While I actively nurturing this idea, I started speaking to people about it. As I wore the shirts every day, I was also often commented on my clothing style and noticed the interest of other people in this type of clothing. So I started gaining spontaneous feedback from the market and decided to actively gather these insights and customer preferences.

In May 2023 I decided to start my own corporation to continue leveraging my business experience as a consultant while also actively working on this idea which started to turn in to a project. Fast forward to November 2023, I wrote the first draft of my business plan and decided to go all in, boarding a the plane to Rwanda on 29th of December to set up partnerships and prepare for the launch of our brand in 2024.

2024 - September

We aim to start with what I know and have tested - male upper body garments - following up with lower body collections and concluding with a winter collection catered to the colder winter months in Europe. In the long term, we wish to fulfil our dream of venturing into female clothing as well and offer comfortable elegant clothes for everyone.

Future of Fashion | Consciously Crafted by Sangwa Couture

Our vision

Crafting a vibrant narrative of sophistication

Crafting a vibrant narrative of sophistication, our fashion brand seamlessly blends the elegance of formal attire with the warmth of African-inspired hues and intricate handmade details. Elevating traditional formalwear, we redefine the boundaries, infusing colour into every stitch, drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of African art. Our commitment to sustainability shines through eco-friendly materials, ensuring not just style but a conscience

Experience the highest quality and comfort as our handmade shirts, adorned with African artistry, transcend the ordinary. Proudly empowering artisans in Africa with opportunities and fair wages, welcome to a world where formality meets vibrancy, and every thread tells a story of empowerment and distinctive elegance.We aim to bridge the gap between European and African fashion and champion local African craftmanship while helping local economies. We aim to become the most accessible African clothing brand worldwide by 2030.

Our values

Why would you choose our brand?

At Sangwa Couture we recognize artistic skills and handmade craftmanship. We believe in ethical practices and sustainable business. We act on this belief by making unique durable products from local artists and manufacturers. This happens to result in incredibly comfortable high-quality clothes.

  • Ethics & Sustainability

    We champion eco-conscious fashion, crafting clothes from durable and recyclable fabrics. Our commitment extends to fair compensation and supporting the growth of lower-income economies.

  • Excellence in craftsmanship

    Our pursuit of unmatched quality is evident in every facet of our production process, showcasing our meticulous focus and exceptional attention to detail. 

  • Innovation in individuality

    We celebrate uniqueness through creativity. Each piece we design is a testament to individual expression, offering distinctive, standout clothing in a conformist market. 

  • Commitment to comfort

    Our creations are born from a dedication to comfort, ensuring each garment to offer a harmonious blend of a pleasant and enjoyable experience.
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