In recent weeks, The Daily Advertiser has been highlighting fashions from cultures that are thriving in the region, with women leading the way forward.

Izera Mazambo fled her homeland after the Burundian Civil War, which was an armed conflict, broke out in 1993 and lasted until 2005.

"We came to Wagga because we were refugees in Zambia and there was a crisis in 1993 in my country so it caused us to leave," she said.

"We lived in Zambia and after that, we applied to come here. We like Wagga because it is quiet and cool even though there are some challenges."

Mrs Mazambo said she misses the weather, the seasons are only wet or dry.

"You can dress up in whatever you want," she said. "I would love people to visit so they see mountains, valleys, animals."

Mrs Mazambo said the traditional dress for women will vary depending on their age and formality of the occasion they are attending.

"They might dress in the same thing, but the way they wear it will be different," she said.

"You have a separate top with a wraparound skirt. You have ones you wear at home and ones you wear to weddings."

Mrs Mazambo is known for walking the streets proudly wearing her traditional clothes.

"For me, because I have girls, I want to maintain my culture so every Sunday and with every special occasion I put on my traditional dress," she said.

"People know I wear them a lot."

Mrs Mazambo said for Burundians simple and natural is best when it comes to accessories.

"We are not jewellery people," she said.

"We are Pentecostal so they don't encourage jewels.

"We are here so we try them, but they like to be natural so we don't even put hair extensions in. You will see a lot of Burundians with short hair."

When asked why it was so important to cherish and share her culture Mrs Mazambo had a simple answer.

"I love it and it is mine," she said.

"I would love people to see how I am rather than me trying to live somebody's life and somebody's lifestyle, but mine is how it is meant to be.

"People should know who we are so they can know us better."

Mrs Mazambo said she is often stopped in the street so people can ask where she gets her clothes from.

"Compared to 10 years ago when I moved here, I think people are starting to wear more colours and more styles," she said.