INTERVIEW with Nadia Angalikiana-Katana

Meet the Queen at the center of

FIFA WORLD CUP Fashion Guest: Nadia Angalikiana-Katana La ZAÏROISE

1. Your World Cup looks have been showstoppers, drawing comparisons to Patrice Lumumba's bold and elegant style! What was the inspiration for your fashion choices, and what elements of his aesthetic (if any) resonate with you as you prepared for WORLD CUP 26?

A: First and foremost, I am truly humbled by the comparison to Patrice Lumumba. He remains one of the greatest symbols of dignity, courage, patriotism, and unwavering love for our nation. While I wasn't attempting to recreate his appearance, I deeply admire the confidence, conviction, and pride with which he represented the Congolese people. Those qualities certainly inspired the spirit behind my presentation.

My inspiration, also came from several iconic figures and symbols that have shaped our history and imagination. I also paid tribute to the late President Mobutu by wearing his signature leopard-skin hat and ceremonial cane-two instantly recognizable symbols that have become part of Congolese history and identity.

Another major source of inspiration was our beloved Les Léopards, whose World Cup identity and remarkable fashion presence were elevated by the incredible designs of Mr. JMakX Paris. From the very first day of the tournament, he showed the world that Congolese fashion belongs on the global stage, earning well-deserved recognition as the FIFA World Cup's Universal Fashion winner. His creativity reinforced the idea that fashion is another way our nation competes and excels internationally.

Finally, I drew inspiration from King Jaffe Joffer of Zamunda, portrayed by the legendary & the late Mr. James Earl Jones in Coming to America (Eddie Murphy). The regal elegance, commanding presence, and celebration of African royalty perfectly aligned with the vision I wanted to create a modern ZAÏROISE - Congolese QUEEN proudly representing her people before a global audience.

My goal was to blend history, royalty, culture, and contemporary fashion into one powerful visual statement. Every detail -from the leopard symbolism to the colors, textures, accessories, and silhouettes was intentionally chosen to tell a story. To me, fashion is far more than clothing; it is a language. Through it, I wanted to honor our history, celebrate our resilience, and proudly showcase the beauty, strength, and excellence of the my AFRICAN people.

Image: Nadia Angalikiana-Katana

2. As the Democratic Republic of the Congo made history on the FIFA world stage, how did you want your wardrobe choices to reflect Congolese pride, culture, and the significance of the moment?*

A: This World Cup was much bigger than football. It was an opportunity for the world to see the Democratic Republic of the Congo-Zaïre-through a different lens.

For too long, our country has often been associated with long-lasting war, suffering, and the exploitation of our minerals. But we are so much more than that. We are a nation of smart, beautiful, intelligent, loving, resilient, and talented people. We have culture, elegance, creativity, strength, and history that deserve to be seen and respected on the world stage.

Through my wardrobe choices, I wanted to proudly reflect Congolese pride, dignity, and excellence. Every look was designed to honor our heritage while presenting it in a sophisticated and international way. I wanted people who had never visited our country to immediately recognize the beauty, confidence, and royal presence of the Congolese spirit.

After 52 years, we had to come back strong and remind the rest of the world that we still exist, that we are powerful, and that our story is far from over.

This moment was historic, and I wanted my fashion to help tell that story: the story of a people who continue to rise, shine, and represent with pride-no matter what the world has tried to reduce us to.

3. Your fashion became part of the visual story surrounding the DRC's World Cup campaign. Did you design the looks yourself? What message were you hoping to communicate through your style?

A: Yes, every look was my own creation from concept to execution.

Although my original goal was simply to attend the very first match in Houston after our nation's 52-year absence from the FIFA World Cup, I was blessed to attend three of the four matches. The only game I missed was in Mexico due to work commitments and the short notice between matches.

One of the pieces that generated the most attention was the leopard I wore on my shoulder. Many people assumed it had been professionally made, but it was actually created entirely from scratch. I purchased a simple leopard mask on Amazon and transformed it using a glue gun, baby pins, staples, paper stuffing, and a lot of imagination until it became the statement piece everyone recognized.

What makes the story even more interesting is that I do not know how to sew-not even a single button! (Laughs.) Every outfit was assembled using creativity, a glue gun, baby pins, staples, and determination. On average, each design took me about three hours to conceptualize before ordering additional materials and carefully assembling everything into the final look.

Not everything went according to plan. Some of the materials I had ordered didn't arrive in time for the matches, so I had to improvise at the very last minute and completely redesign certain elements. Looking back, those unexpected challenges actually pushed me to become even more creative.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is that all three outfits-from head to toe-cost me less than $100 in total. I wanted to prove that making a bold fashion statement isn't about having an unlimited budget; it's about having vision, imagination, and the willingness to create something unique.

Before joining the United States Air Force, I worked as a model, and I believe that experience played a significant role in shaping my creative vision. It taught me how clothing should fit, move, and photograph, and helped me clearly visualize exactly how I wanted each outfit to look.

I've never been someone who follows the crowd. There was no way I was going to show up dressed like everyone else in a jersey and shorts or pants. That's simply not who I am. I've always believed in leading rather than following-suivez le guide! (Follow the guide!) We were encouraged to create excitement, generate buzz, and make a statement for our country, and I think I accomplished exactly that.

After my very first video went viral, I noticed many of my Congolese brothers and sisters embracing the same spirit by elevating their own match-day fashion-wearing elegant suits, incorporating leopard scarves, and adding symbolic Congolese elements. Seeing others proudly express themselves made me incredibly happy because it showed that creativity inspires creativity.

To those who criticized me or questioned my vision, I genuinely wish them nothing but the best. While many were watching history unfold from their televisions, I had the privilege of representing our people inside the stadiums, where my outfits were seen by thousands in person and millions more across social media. If my passion sparked conversations about the Democratic Republic of the Congo, inspired pride among my fellow Congolese, or encouraged even one young person to dream bigger, then every hour of work, every challenge, and every criticism was absolutely worth it.

The message behind every design was simple: Congolese excellence deserves to be seen. I wanted every young Congolese girl and woman to know that they never have to diminish who they are to be accepted. Our culture is elegant. Our traditions are beautiful. Our history is rich. Our identity is powerful. Fashion became my way of telling that story without saying a single word while showing the world that passion, creativity, confidence, and pride can accomplish extraordinary things-even without formal training.

Another unforgettable part of this journey was the incredible reaction from supporters of other national teams. It was truly inspiring to see fans from opposing countries stop me throughout the stadiums to ask for photos and videos together. Many had no connection to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, yet they were fascinated by the creativity, symbolism, and story behind my outfits.

To me, that was one of the greatest compliments I could receive. It showed that fashion has the power to transcend language, nationality, and competition. Even though we were supporting different teams, we were united through admiration, curiosity, and respect. Every photograph became another opportunity to introduce someone to the beauty, history, and culture of the Congolese people.

4. How intentional was your approach to representing Congolese excellence and confidence through fashion during the World Cup?

A: It was 100% intentional. Nothing I wore happened by accident. Every color, every accessory, every silhouette, and every symbolic detail was carefully chosen to tell a story. I wasn't simply putting together outfits-I was creating a visual tribute to my country, our history, and our people. As someone born in Zaïre and now proudly ZAÏROISE-American, I understand the importance of representation. Every time I walked into a stadium, I knew I wasn't just representing myself; I was representing millions of Congolese People & AFRICANS around the world. I wanted the world to see our elegance, creativity, confidence, and our resilience.

One of the funniest parts of this experience was that, after my photos and videos started going viral, some people actually thought I was created by Artificial Intelligence! Others assumed I was using filters, Snapchat effects, or some kind of digital editing. I had to prove that I was a real human being and that every design was genuinely mine. (Laughs.) It's all me-ooooo! and I still have the receipts for every single item I purchased to create my looks!

To me, that's the beauty of creativity. You don't need a fashion house, a celebrity stylist, or an unlimited budget to make an impact. With vision, passion, and determination, you can create something people never expected to see. If my fashion encouraged people to look at the Democratic Republic of the Congo differently, sparked conversations about our culture, or inspired others to proudly embrace their own identity, then I achieved exactly what I set out to do. That, more than anything, is what this World Cup experience will always mean to me.

5. Looking back, what does it mean to know that your style became part of the conversation surrounding the DRC's World Cup participation, and how do you hope it inspires future generations to embrace fashion as a form of cultural expression?

A: It is honestly one of the greatest compliments I could ever receive. When I first started putting these ideas together, I never imagined my outfits would become part of the conversation surrounding our country's return to the FIFA World Cup after 52 years. Knowing that my creativity helped shine another positive light on the Democratic Republic of the Congo /ZAÏRE means more to me than words can express.

More importantly, I hope my journey inspires both men and women, regardless of where they come from. This isn't just about fashion-it's about having the courage to believe in yourself when no one else sees your vision.

Not everyone will understand your ideas, and that's perfectly okay. Not everyone is supposed to. We were all created differently, and that uniqueness is our greatest strength. Don't allow anyone to discourage you from becoming the person God created you to be. Be unapologetically yourself.

I've learned that if you're trying to accomplish something extraordinary, you'll probably hear criticism before you receive applause. There will always be people who say it can't be done, who question your choices, or who try to discourage you simply because they cannot yet see what you see. Let the naysayers stay exactly where they are while you continue moving forward. Dare to take risks. Chase your vision even if it costs you your time, your money, your sleep, and even if you have to endure criticism or insults from jealous people along the way. Those sacrifices are temporary, but the impact you leave can last a lifetime.

If my story teaches anything, I hope it is this: don't wait for permission to be extraordinary. Be bold enough to stand out instead of blending in. Create your own lane. Lead with confidence, inspire others through your actions, and never be afraid to represent who you are and where you come from.

Because in the end, the world doesn't remember those who simply followed the crowd-it remembers those who had the courage to lead it.