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)

Bella Hadid, Vittoria Ceretti and Gigi Hadid are seen backstage ahead of the Alberta Ferretti show during Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2018 on September 20, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by WWD/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

A model presents a creation by designer Katy Nguyen during Vietnam International Fashion Week in Hanoi, Vietnam, Wednesday, November 1, 2017. (Photo by Hau Dinh/AP Photo)

A model makes a video call backstage during the Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 9, 2023. At the recently held premier fashion event, the backstage was buzzing as everyone from the hair and make-up artist to the stylist and the designer raced to get that perfect look that would stand out on the catwalk. (Photo by Rafiq Maqbool/AP Photo)

Model presents a creation from the Agua de Coco por Liana Thomaz collection during the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo, Brazil on April 21, 2018. (Photo by Nacho Doce/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)