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)

General view during the Gucci event during Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2017/18 on February 22, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Gucci)

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 creation by Paradizia during Colombiamoda fashion event in Medellin, Colombia, July 29, 2015. (Photo by Fredy Builes/Reuters)

A model presents a creation by DB Berdan during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Istanbul, Turkey March 28, 2018. (Photo by Osman Orsal/Reuters)

A model waits backstage before the Spring/Summer 2017 Fashion Palette show at New York Fashion Week in Manhattan, New York, U.S., September 8, 2016. (Photo by Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

A model poses backstage at the Topshop Unique catwalk show during London Fashion Week in London, Britain February 19, 2017. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)