Roots
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 FASHION DESIGN / Prêt-à-porter | FASHION DESIGN / Sustainable Fashion
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Winnie Kirabo
Other Contributor(s):Gerard Porta, Jordi Valera, Aggrey Lubega, Valo All Events, Yuri Gonzalez, Tere Tarrats
Manufacturer Name:WYNE KIRABO Studio
Distributors Name:Direct to client / In-house sales only
Textile / Others Supplier:Sourced directly by WYNE KIRABO, Yasmina.
Photo Credit:Yerafain
Project Location:Banyoles, Spain / Kampala, Uganda
Design Status:Prototype
Website: View
Video URL:View
Project Description:
Roots is a contemporary fashion collection that reimagines traditional Ugandan Kikoy textiles through modern silhouettes and refined tailoring. Exploring identity, ancestry, and cultural continuity, it transforms artisanal fabrics into structured and fluid garments that convey strength, dignity, and belonging. The collection bridges heritage and innovation, blending minimalist design with symbolic motifs. Each piece tells a story of cross-cultural dialogue, preserving ancestral craft while presenting African-rooted design in a global, contemporary context.
Roots is a contemporary fashion collection that reimagines traditional Ugandan Kikoy textiles through modern silhouettes and refined tailoring. Exploring identity, ancestry, and cultural continuity, it transforms artisanal fabrics into structured and fluid garments that convey strength, dignity, and belonging. The collection bridges heritage and innovation, blending minimalist design with symbolic motifs. Each piece tells a story of cross-cultural dialogue, preserving ancestral craft while presenting African-rooted design in a global, contemporary context.
Project Innovation / Specification:
Roots reinterprets traditional East African kikoy textiles within contemporary fashion through advanced tailoring, pattern engineering, and structural design. Kikoy, typically worn in draped form, is reshaped into tailored silhouettes, maintaining its visual rhythm and cultural symbolism. Strategic seam placement preserves the fabric’s stripe alignment while enhancing sculptural form. The collection experiments with volume, fluidity, and precision, balancing softness and structure, and combining artisanal textiles with technically executed construction. Each piece integrates sustainable fabrics, thoughtful material selection, and deliberate craftsmanship to create garments that honor cultural heritage while expanding conventional boundaries of fashion design. Roots demonstrates how ancestral textiles can be both meaningful and technically sophisticated in a modern context.
Roots reinterprets traditional East African kikoy textiles within contemporary fashion through advanced tailoring, pattern engineering, and structural design. Kikoy, typically worn in draped form, is reshaped into tailored silhouettes, maintaining its visual rhythm and cultural symbolism. Strategic seam placement preserves the fabric’s stripe alignment while enhancing sculptural form. The collection experiments with volume, fluidity, and precision, balancing softness and structure, and combining artisanal textiles with technically executed construction. Each piece integrates sustainable fabrics, thoughtful material selection, and deliberate craftsmanship to create garments that honor cultural heritage while expanding conventional boundaries of fashion design. Roots demonstrates how ancestral textiles can be both meaningful and technically sophisticated in a modern context.
Project Sustainability Approach:
Sustainability in Roots is embedded in both environmental and social practices. Kikoy cotton fabrics are ethically sourced from Ugandan artisans, preserving traditional weaving knowledge and supporting local economies. Limited production, mindful patterning, and durable materials minimize waste and promote longevity. Social sustainability is advanced through mentorship programs and initiatives supporting young girls’ education in Uganda, fostering future creative talent. By combining cultural authenticity with careful production, Roots demonstrates how design can honor heritage, empower communities, and minimize environmental impact. The collection positions sustainability as a holistic practice encompassing material responsibility, social development, and cultural preservation.
Sustainability in Roots is embedded in both environmental and social practices. Kikoy cotton fabrics are ethically sourced from Ugandan artisans, preserving traditional weaving knowledge and supporting local economies. Limited production, mindful patterning, and durable materials minimize waste and promote longevity. Social sustainability is advanced through mentorship programs and initiatives supporting young girls’ education in Uganda, fostering future creative talent. By combining cultural authenticity with careful production, Roots demonstrates how design can honor heritage, empower communities, and minimize environmental impact. The collection positions sustainability as a holistic practice encompassing material responsibility, social development, and cultural preservation.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Project:
Roots strengthens cross-cultural dialogue by showcasing traditional Ugandan kikoy textiles in contemporary European fashion contexts. Educational talks at the University of Barcelona and jury participation at the University of Girona foster knowledge exchange and visibility for African design. Media appearances, mentorship proggrams, collaborations with award-winning African artists, and events such as Berlinale 2025 (Annabelle Mandeng), UN minority artist awards (Bianca Nguema) among others, highlight cultural heritage while expanding African fashion narratives internationally. By merging artisanal tradition with modern design, Roots preserves craftsmanship, supports local communities, and elevates recognition of African-rooted design both locally and globally.
Roots strengthens cross-cultural dialogue by showcasing traditional Ugandan kikoy textiles in contemporary European fashion contexts. Educational talks at the University of Barcelona and jury participation at the University of Girona foster knowledge exchange and visibility for African design. Media appearances, mentorship proggrams, collaborations with award-winning African artists, and events such as Berlinale 2025 (Annabelle Mandeng), UN minority artist awards (Bianca Nguema) among others, highlight cultural heritage while expanding African fashion narratives internationally. By merging artisanal tradition with modern design, Roots preserves craftsmanship, supports local communities, and elevates recognition of African-rooted design both locally and globally.
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Winnie Kirabo
Profile Description:
Wyne Kirabo, Barcelona-based Ugandan designer, fuses African textile heritage with contemporary European fashion. ASFAs 2022 Best Emerging African Designer, she creates exclusive, minimalist collections that empower women and celebrate cultural storytelling. Co-founded with Gerard Porta in 2019, the brand blends precision tailoring, sculptural silhouettes, and cross-cultural dialogue, dressing actors, musicians, and influencers across Europe and Africa.
Wyne Kirabo, Barcelona-based Ugandan designer, fuses African textile heritage with contemporary European fashion. ASFAs 2022 Best Emerging African Designer, she creates exclusive, minimalist collections that empower women and celebrate cultural storytelling. Co-founded with Gerard Porta in 2019, the brand blends precision tailoring, sculptural silhouettes, and cross-cultural dialogue, dressing actors, musicians, and influencers across Europe and Africa.
Environmental Practices:
Sustainability and social impact drive Wyne Kirabo. Using ethically sourced fabrics from Ugandan artisans, small-batch production, and mindful patterning, each piece balances elegance with responsibility. Mentorship programs in Uganda empower young designers, preserve heritage, and ensure every garment honors both culture and community while reducing environmental impact.
Sustainability and social impact drive Wyne Kirabo. Using ethically sourced fabrics from Ugandan artisans, small-batch production, and mindful patterning, each piece balances elegance with responsibility. Mentorship programs in Uganda empower young designers, preserve heritage, and ensure every garment honors both culture and community while reducing environmental impact.
Previous Awards Won:
Wyne Kirabo has been recognized internationally for creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural impact. She won the ASFAs 2022 Best Emerging African Designer (Uganda) and was listed among The Africa Report’s “20 Young African Creatives to Know" (Nigeria). She was nominated in Uganda’s New Vision Top 40 Under 40, served as a jury member for the fashion degree at University of Girona (Spain), and is an active speaker at the Faculty of Economics, University of Barcelona (Spain), sharing insights on intercultural communication and Africa’s creative contribution to global design. Her designs have dressed German actress Annabelle Mandeng at the Berlinale 2025, awarded musician Momi Maiga for his album Kairo, Goya candidate actress Diarra Diouf at a Madrid premiere, awarded painter Bianca Nguema at the UN Minority Awards, activist Adriana Boho at the Sempre Imperfectes premiere, and singer Afrika Bibang at Spain’s Max Performing Arts Awards. Featured in Bunte Magazin (Germany), Fashion United, TV3 (Spain), RTVE (Spain), Urban TV (Uganda), New Vision (Uganda), Vanity Teen, Daily Monitor(Uganda),The EastAfrican, Amsterdam Diversity Fashion Week, among others, Wyne Kirabo merges African heritage with European craftsmanship. The brand’s minimalist, precise, and sculptural designs reflect sustainability, storytelling, and cross-cultural dialogue. Mentorship programs in Uganda amplify young designers’ voices, preserve cultural heritage, and empower communities while elevating African-rooted design globally.
Wyne Kirabo has been recognized internationally for creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural impact. She won the ASFAs 2022 Best Emerging African Designer (Uganda) and was listed among The Africa Report’s “20 Young African Creatives to Know" (Nigeria). She was nominated in Uganda’s New Vision Top 40 Under 40, served as a jury member for the fashion degree at University of Girona (Spain), and is an active speaker at the Faculty of Economics, University of Barcelona (Spain), sharing insights on intercultural communication and Africa’s creative contribution to global design. Her designs have dressed German actress Annabelle Mandeng at the Berlinale 2025, awarded musician Momi Maiga for his album Kairo, Goya candidate actress Diarra Diouf at a Madrid premiere, awarded painter Bianca Nguema at the UN Minority Awards, activist Adriana Boho at the Sempre Imperfectes premiere, and singer Afrika Bibang at Spain’s Max Performing Arts Awards. Featured in Bunte Magazin (Germany), Fashion United, TV3 (Spain), RTVE (Spain), Urban TV (Uganda), New Vision (Uganda), Vanity Teen, Daily Monitor(Uganda),The EastAfrican, Amsterdam Diversity Fashion Week, among others, Wyne Kirabo merges African heritage with European craftsmanship. The brand’s minimalist, precise, and sculptural designs reflect sustainability, storytelling, and cross-cultural dialogue. Mentorship programs in Uganda amplify young designers’ voices, preserve cultural heritage, and empower communities while elevating African-rooted design globally.
