London, UK — August 2026 — Rwandan fashion label Matheo Studio presented its latest creative work at African Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2026, bringing a distinctive blend of African heritage, contemporary design and Afrofuturist influences to the London fashion scene.
Founded in Kigali by Rwandan designer Maurice Niyigena, Matheo Studio belongs to a new generation of African fashion labels using clothing to explore cultural storytelling, artistic expression and social themes.
The brand is known for combining avant-garde silhouettes with African narratives and detailed craftsmanship. Its collections often draw on themes of identity, memory, resilience and transformation, creating a visual language influenced by both fashion and cinematic storytelling.
Matheo Studio’s work is supported by the British Council Creative DNA 2026 programme, through which the designer explores the connections between fashion, costume design, sustainability and African heritage.
Niyigena’s designs have previously been showcased at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kigali and at international showcases associated with New York Fashion Week. These appearances have helped bring attention to Rwanda’s developing fashion and creative sector.
A key example of the studio’s approach is Rebirth of Rwanda, a collection centred on themes of healing, survival and national identity. The collection uses handcrafted details, symbolic textile work and dramatic silhouettes to explore complex aspects of Rwanda’s story and cultural identity.
With its appearance at African Fashion Week London 2026, Matheo Studio continues to position fashion as a medium through which African heritage and contemporary creative perspectives can be explored.
Photos by Paul Winstone