The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s misfortunes have often eclipsed its good news, with ongoing armed conflicts and most recently an Ebola outbreak. Much of the world knows little of the country’s vibrant arts scene, and last weekend in the capital, Kinshasa, models showed off daring new looks dreamed up by local designers on the catwalk. (Photo by Olivia Acland/The Guardian)

Participants get ready ahead of a fashion show organized by Daspu, a fashion house founded and run by prostitutes, during the Women of the World (WOW) festival, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil November 18, 2018. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)

A model presents a creation of designer Asifa Nabeel during Bridal Couture Week 2016 in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, November 27, 2016. (Photo by K.M. Chaudary/AP Photo)

Audience take photos of a model presenting a creation by Greek designer Dimitrios Ordoulidis during the 10th Athens Exclusive Fashion Week in Athens, Greece, October 22, 2016. (Photo by Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

A model displays a creation by Portuguese designer David Ferreira on the second day of the Lisbon Fashion Week, at the Carlos Lopes Pavillion in Lisbon, Portugal, 09 March 2019. (Photo by Miguel A. Lopes/EPA/EFE)

A model displays a collection by graduates of the British Higher School of Art & Design during the Fashion Week at Zaryadye Park near Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Friday, June 24, 2022. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Photo)

A model presents a hairstyle creation by stylist Flavia Attard Borg during the Malta Fashion Awards, the climax of Malta Fashion Week, in Valletta, Malta on May 31, 2019. (Photo by Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters)

Models walk down the runway during the Robb & Lulu swimwear show as part of Funkshion Fashion Week Swim, Friday, July 17, 2015, in Coral Gables, Fla. (Photo by Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)