Rwandan fashion designer, model, and actress Aline Amike realized every designer’s dream when Hollywood star Lupita Nyong’o adorned a handcrafted bag from Amike Studio, Aline’s Rwandan brand, during the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) held from February 15 to 25.
The Berlinale, stands among the “big five” film festivals worldwide. Drawing tens of thousands of visitors annually, the festival serves as a platform for cinematic excellence.
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Aline Amike attended the festival as a member of the Berlinale Talents community, a group of filmmakers recognized for their creative prowess and influence within their communities. Only 200 talents were selected to join this community for the current year.
Nyong’o, a member of the International Jury at the festival, shared her appreciation on Instagram, boasting over 11 million followers: “Jury Duty has been fun, and Berlin has been kind. Thank you to the lovely talent, Aline Amike, who handcrafted this bag for me; it happened to complete my outfit of the day!”
This collaboration marks another instance of Nyong’o championing Rwandan styles, following her previous appearance at the Oscars in 2018 with a Rwandan hairstyle known as Amasunzu.
Her brother, Peter Junior Nyong’o, has also endorsed Rwandan brand House of Tayo on several occasions, he also wore their pieces during the world premieres of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in 2018 and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022.
In an interview, Amike revealed that the bag’s design was inspired by a childhood game called ‘Dame,’ played with Fanta bottle caps, the game is known as checkers. She expressed her gratitude for Nyong’o’s endorsement, emphasizing the collective effort of her team.
“It’s surreal. I’m deeply honored by her appreciation for my work, and it’s opened my eyes to the brand’s broader potential. It’s not just about me; it’s a testament to the collective effort of every woman on my team. It’s truly inspiring,” she said.
Amike temporarily relocated to Berlin to pursue a degree in screen acting, expanding AMIKE (Amike Studio) to offer its products in Rwanda and Germany. She now balances her roles as an actress, student, and fashion entrepreneur between Berlin and Kigali.
Amike Studio specializes in bead experimentation, crafting unique fashion pieces. Alongside Nyong’o, other celebrities endorsing the brand include B-Threy, Angell Mutoni, and Kaya Byiinshi.