Matthew Rugamba is a powerhouse of African elegance, weaving the soul of the continent into every stitch and bringing African heritage to the global fashion stage.
Across continents and cultures, he is redefining how the world sees African style, one bold, beautiful design at a time.
With House of Tayo, he doesn’t just make clothes; he crafts wearable stories of pride, culture, and ambition, blending timeless tradition with modern sophistication.
Born in London and raised between Uganda and Kenya, Matthew’s earliest memories are threaded with fabrics, colors, and the gentle guidance of his mother’s hands. Those moments planted a seed, a lifelong love for style, storytelling, and self-expression.
“I never realised how much those early experiences with tailoring would impact me 20 years later,” he reflects.
After studying International Relations at Lewis and Clark College, Matthew returned to Africa, not as a diplomat, but as a visionary ready to reshape narratives through fashion.
In 2011, House of Tayo was born with a clear mission: to blend African heritage with global sophistication.
Since then, the brand has dressed international icons, most notably Lupita Nyong’o at the Black Panther premiere, proving that African fashion is more than clothing, it’s a celebration, a movement, a statement to the world.
Matthew’s influence reaches far beyond style. In 2015, he co-founded a fashion collective that shaped policy, nurtured talent, and put Rwanda on the international fashion map.
From London Fashion Week to local craft fairs, his work has built bridges between African creators and global audiences, showcasing culture, creativity, and opportunity in every thread.
Even in the face of early skepticism from banks and investors, Matthew stayed the course.
“Respect affects so many parts of my business,” he says, reflecting on the challenge of proving that tailoring can be both artistic and commercially brilliant.
His leadership philosophy, lead by example, stay adaptable, and commit fully—has guided House of Tayo through every pivot, every challenge, and every triumph.
Looking ahead, Matthew dreams of building a pan-African lifestyle brand, a Ralph Lauren of the continent, spanning fashion, books, music, and visual storytelling.
With Rwanda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem as his launchpad, that dream is fast becoming reality.
Matthew Rugamba is creating fashion that does more than dress people, he is building a global stage for African heritage, one exquisite, soul-stirring design at a time.
Image Credit: Africa Innovation Summit
