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 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 showcases designs by Metias as part of the LMFF Offsite Runway 1 show on day six of the 2011 L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival at Peninsula Central Pier Docklands on March 19, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)

Alan Cumming and Uma Thurman attend the Versace for H&M Fashion event at the H&M on the Hudson on November 8, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images for Versace for H&M)

(L-R) Zandea,18, and Jessica, 21, pose showing off their clothing backstage during a show featuring OPT jeans December 8, 2011 in Yangon, Myanmar. (Photo by Paula Bronstein /Getty Images)

A model presents a creation by Italian designer Donatella Versace as part of her Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2016/2017 fashion show for Atelier Versace in Paris January 24, 2016. (Photo by Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters)

A model presents a creation by Singapore-born designer Andrew GN as part of his Fall/Winter 2016/2017 women's ready-to-wear collection show in Paris, France, March 4, 2016. (Photo by Benoit Tessier/Reuters)