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)

Model Bella Hadid has her make-up done inside Blenheim Palace ahead of a fashion show presenting the Dior, Cruise 2017 Collection, in Woodstock, Britain May 31, 2016. (Photo by Dylan Martinez/Reuters)

A model presents a creation from the Juozas Statkevicius Spring-Summer 2018 fashion collection in Vilnius, Lithuania, Thursday, November 9, 2017. (Photo by Mindaugas Kulbis/AP Photo)

Liu Xu presents a creation from The Blonds Fall 2018 collection during New York Fashion Week in New York, USA, on February 14, 2018. (Photo by Caitlin Ochs/Reuters)

Models present creations from the Versace Autumn/Winter 2018 women collection during Milan Fashion Week in Milan, Italy February 23, 2018. (Photo by Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters)

Models Felicia Verna and Crystal Boyd wearing Stacey Angela during the Fallen Hearts Fashion Experience at Symphony Space on May 31, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

A model presents a creation from the Fyodor Golan catwalk show at London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 16 in London, Britain February 19, 2016. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)