This year’s United Colours of Fashion (UCOF) Fall Fashion Festival swept across New Brunswick with colour, confidence, and community spirit. Held under the theme “Falling Into Identity – Layers of Us,” the three-city showcase transformed fashion into a powerful language of belonging — one that connected stories, celebrated creativity, and strengthened the bonds of community.
The festival began in Dieppe on September 13th, lighting up the Dieppe Centre for Arts and Culture with music, art, and design that celebrated self-expression and shared humanity. Supported by partners including MAGMA, CULDEV+, DJ Yaji, and The Mandate Media Group, the evening was a dazzling reminder of how local art and culture can build bridges across backgrounds.
In Fredericton on September 20th, the celebration continued at The Cultural Centre, thanks to support from Jeff Foster, the City of Fredericton, Nury Franco (EXIT Realty Advantage), Victory Meat Market, and Instant Imprints. Here, audiences witnessed creators step into their confidence — designers, performers, and youth alike using the runway as a platform for empowerment.
The festival culminated in a grand finale at the Kent Theatre in Saint John on September 27th — a night that also marked UCOF’s fifth anniversary. With sponsorship from local partners, including The City of Saint John, Crave Lounge, EXIT Realty, MST Pilates Studio, Elegance Events and Weddings, PRUDE Inc., and The YMCA of Southern New Brunswick, the closing event embodied the collaborative spirit that has defined UCOF’s growth over the years.
“Our goal was to continue building on the vision of UCOF as more than just a fashion show, but as a movement for cultural pride, storytelling, and empowerment,” said Christine Eruokwu, Managing Director of UCOF. “From Dieppe to Fredericton and Saint John, we witnessed creators step into their confidence, newcomers finding their voices, and communities embracing one another through art and culture.”
A standout moment was the Empowered Strides Showcase — a dynamic blend of fashion, rap, and spoken word that explored identity and resilience. In Saint John, a collaboration with Día de los Muertos organizers brought La Catrina to life, deepening the cultural exchange and vibrancy on stage.
For UCOF co-founder Rufina Ajalie, the festival’s success reaffirmed the organization’s mission. “With the theme ‘Falling Into Identity – Layers of Us,’ we saw fashion infused with identity, courage, and unity,” she said. “The outcome was not just a show but a living, breathing movement that reminded the community that this platform belongs to them too.”
Photo Credits: Dwight Reimer, The Mandate Media Group
