About Me 

I started my career in fashion more than ten years ago as a self-taught designer in the Democratic Republic of Congo, creating accessories from recycled materials like plastic bottles and scrap fabric with only ten dollars to my name. What began as a small hobby slowly grew into Belange Handmade, a global brand that allowed me to share my creativity, my culture, and my love for design with women around the world. Today, that journey has brought me to Iowa State University, where I am pursuing my PhD and teaching the next generation of fashion creatives. From designing my first handmade pieces to earning national recognition and partnering with global companies, every step has shaped who I am as a fashion entrepreneur, educator, and emerging scholar. Above all, my proudest accomplishment has been bringing my amazing son into this world.