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Belange Handmade

@belange_handmade

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Fashion Designer & Educator from Kolwezi, DRC 🇨🇩
📍🇺🇸
Shop my designs at @sheinofficial
As seen in @dmregister, @usatoday, @cosmopolitan 💕

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

I woke up to a feature in @cosmopolitan 🫣💕🥰 Pinch me !!!

Thank you @sheinx__official @sheinofficial @cosmopolitan 💕💕

Follow the linktree in my bio to read the full article 💕

#belangehandmade #belangehandmadexshein #sheinxdesigner #magazinefeature #cosmopolitan by @belange_handmade

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2 years ago

Another excerpt from my interview with @hrtnewlook ! 🇨🇩❤️

We discussed some of the challenges Congolese fashion designers face, but more importantly, why entrepreneurship centers need to offer more than just funding.

This is something I’ve also noticed in the U.S. while studying entrepreneurial ecosystems as part of my PhD research. Entrepreneurship centers often focus heavily on funding and business pitching, while giving much less attention to other important aspects of running a business, such as financial literacy, business management, marketing, branding, and mentorship.

And this can be particularly challenging for entrepreneurs from non-business backgrounds. What happens when someone receives funding but hasn’t been taught how to manage that money or run a business? Funding is important, but so is knowing what to do with it!

This isn’t just a challenge in the DRC. It’s a much broader issue that deserves attention.

📺 The interview is now airing on national TV! You can also watch the full conversation on YouTube through the Linktree in my bio.

The interview is entirely in French, but non-French speakers can use YouTube’s translated captions to follow along. 🥰

#BelangeHandmade #CongoleseFashion #fashionentrepreneurship taken in Lubumbashi(R.D.Congo) by @belange_handmade

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11 days ago

@belange_handmade On @usatoday !!!
#belangehandmade #belangehandmadexshein #usatoday #sheinxdesigner #desmoinesregister #peopletowatch by @belange_handmade

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2 years ago

LOOK 04 | FLEUVE CONGO ✨🇨🇩

A different take on Congolese elegance! This wide-leg black jumpsuit features red satin accents, an oversized neckline, African-print details, and dramatic black tulle sleeves. Inspired by the Congo River, this look explores how the length of this River can evolve through more unconventional long silhouettes.

✨ Designer & Creative Director: @belange_handmade by @belangemutunda

✨ Photographer: @lydiakatanga_ for @lubumbashifashionweek

✨Model: @albertakatanga_it

#BelangeHandmade #FromHeritageToFuture #lubumbashifashionweek2026 taken in Lubumbashi,Rep.Dem.of Congo by @belange_handmade

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16 hours ago

LOOK 03 | THE BRIDGE 🖤🇨🇩

Where heritage meets contemporary fashion! This look features a black romper decorated with cowrie shells, paired with an oversized African-print cape and flowing train. The contrast between the modern romper and dramatic traditional print represents the connection between our cultural roots and the possibilities of the future.

✨ Designer & Creative Director: @belange_handmade by @belangemutunda

✨ Photographer: @lydiakatanga_ for @lubumbashifashionweek

✨ Model: @_shaam_s

#BelangeHandmade #FromHeritageToFuture #lubumbashifashionweek2026 taken in Lubumbashi,Rep.Dem.of Congo by @belange_handmade

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a day ago

LOOK 02 | BOLD TRANSITION ❤️🇨🇩

A little more drama as we move from heritage toward the future! This look pairs a burgundy corset and fitted velveteen skirt with exaggerated African-print ruffles, and cowrie shells. It’s all about taking familiar elements of Congolese fashion and reimagining them through bolder shapes, textures, and proportions.

✨Designer & Creative Director: @belange_handmade by @belangemutunda

✨Photographer: @lydiakatanga_ of @lubumbashifashionweek

✨ Models: @_shaam_s (Editorial shoot) & @justhiamwarabu8 (runway show)

#BelangeHandmade #FromHeritageToFuture
#lubumbashifashionweek2026 taken in Lubumbashi,Rep.Dem.of Congo by @belange_handmade

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18 hours ago

LOOK 01 | HERITAGE IN BLOOM 🌺🇨🇩

Opening our From Heritage to Future collection with a celebration of Congolese heritage! This look combines vibrant African floral prints, cowrie shells, a structured corset bodice, and dramatic palazzo pants. Inspired by the boldness and extravagance of La Sapologie, it celebrates our love for color, elegance, and self-expression while introducing a touch of Afrofuturism.

✨Designer & Creative Director: @belange_handmade by @belangemutunda

✨ Photographer: @lydiakatanga_ for @lubumbashifashionweek

✨Model: @chris_tayloshy

#BelangeHandmade #FromHeritageToFuture #LubumbashiFashionWeek2026 taken in Lubumbashi,Rep.Dem.of Congo by @belange_handmade

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3 days ago

FROM HERITAGE TO FUTURE | 2026 COUTURE COLLECTION 🇨🇩❤️

A little bit of Congolese heritage, a little bit of Afrofuturism, and a whole lot of love for my country! 🥰

Inspired by Congolese culture, La Sapologie, and our love for bold colors and extravagant fashion, this 10-look collection explores how we can embrace the future without leaving our Congolese heritage behind.

FYI: I designed and sewed all 10 looks in just two weeks for Lubumbashi Fashion Week 2026 @lubumbashifashionweek ! Still can’t believe we pulled it off! 😂❤️

I’ll be sharing each look individually over the next few days, along with the inspiration behind each design. Stay tuned! 🇨🇩✨

——
✨ Designer & Creative Director: @belange_handmade by @belangemutunda

✨ Photographer : @lydiakatanga_

✨ Models: @_shaam_s @chris_tayloshy @rose_kadinga @salma_yvette @albertakatanga_it

#BelangeHandmade #FromHeritageToFuture #LubumbashiFashionWeek taken in Lubumbashi,Rep.Dem.of Congo by @belange_handmade

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3 days ago

A little preview of my interview with journalist Merveille Ntumba from @hrtnewlook last weekend in Lubumbashi 🇨🇩❤️

We sat down for almost an hour and talked about whether Congolese fashion can conquer the world, the realities of running a fashion business, entrepreneurship, business management, marketing, social media, and so much more. I also got to share a little bit of my own journey from starting my company in Congo, building it in the U.S., and eventually finding my way into academia.

The full interview airs on national TV this Thursday and I can’t wait to share it! 🥰

And to my English-speaking friends, it’s completely in French 😭😂 but you should be able to follow along with translated subtitles/closed captions. ❤️ taken in Lubumbashi DRC by @belange_handmade

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13 days ago

Du @belange_handmade aux couleurs du Drapeau 🇨🇩

📸 : @jammykld07 by @belange_handmade

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18 days ago

BELANGE HANDMADE | FROM HERITAGE TO FUTURE — 2026 CUSTOM COLLECTION 🇨🇩✨

👉🏾Designer & Creative Director: @belangehandmade by @belangemutunda

👩🏾‍🎨 Showcase: Lubumbashi Fashion Week 2026 with @lubumbashifashionweek

🎥 : @nyesgra_studio @beven_bilolo

💃🏽Models / Looks:
Jemima @jemima_kongolo — Heritage in Bloom | Corset & Palazzo Pants
Justhia @justhiamwarabu8 — Bold Transition | Corset & Pencil Skirt
Mariah — The Bridge | Romper
Synthia — Future Flow | Jumpsuit & Bow Belt
Kethia @catalina_coeur — Afrofuture | Dress & Red Under Dress
Chris @chris_tayloshy — Red Transition | Dress
Salma — Cowry Queen | Dress & Bow Belt
Aimerance @bin_aimerance_kishabongo — Light Within | Dress
Alberta — Mother Future | Dress & Long Train Coat
Rose @rose_kadinga — Heritage | DRC Flag Dress

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👉🏾About the Collection

🇨🇩From Heritage to Future 💫 A love letter to my country , the DRC ❣️
This is a 10-look Afrofuturist collection , sewn in only two weeks, inspired by “La Grandeur et l’Extravagance Congolaise”. The collection redefines Sapologie through an Afrofuturist lens, carrying the Congolese traditions of bold self-expression, elegance, color, and extravagance into a contemporary vision of the future.

Through African prints, cowries, bold colors, exaggerated volumes, satin, beadwork, sheer elements, and contemporary silhouettes, the collection moves between heritage, transformation, and futurism. Traditional and cultural references are carried forward and reinterpreted rather than left behind.

At the heart of From Heritage to Future is the idea that moving toward the future does not require us to leave our heritage behind. Our culture can evolve with us and remain part of how we imagine, design, and create the future. 🇨🇩✨

Heritage. Transformation. Culture. Future.

#BelangeHandmade #FromHeritageToFuture #LubumbashiFashionWeek #Sapologie afrofuturism taken in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo by @belange_handmade

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23 days ago

Le défilé de mode, place à la créativité des nos Fashions designers

🎥 : @beven_bilolo by @belange_handmade

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24 days ago