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)

A model presents a creation during the Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY catwalk show at London Fashion Week Men's in London, Britain on January 5, 2019. (Photo by Henry Nicholls/Reuters)

A model prepares backstage of the House of Holland catwalk show during London Fashion Week Women's A/W19 in London, Britain on February 16, 2019. (Photo by Henry Nicholls/Reuters)

US rapper Saweetie perform on the catwalk at PrettyLittleThing x Saweetie show Runway, Spring Summer 2020, New York Fashion Week, USA on September 8, 2019. (Photo by Splash News and Pictures)

Models present creations during the Pam Hogg catwalk show during London Fashion Week in London, Britain, September 13, 2019. (Photo by Henry Nicholls/Reuters)

Models present creations during the Central St Martins MA catwalk show at London Fashion Week in London, Britain, February 20, 2022. (Photo by Henry Nicholls/Reuters)

A model showcases designs on the catwalk by Manning Cartell during A Review of Australian Fashion Week show as part of Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival Sydney 2011 at Sydney Town Hall on August 27, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images)

A competitor poses on the catwalk during the Miss Bumbum Brazil 2016 pageant in Sao Paulo, Brazil on November 9, 2016. Fifteen candidates compete in the annual pageant to select Brazil's sexiest female rear end. (Photo by Miguel Schincariol/AFP Photo)