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The Cape blouse

Tafadzwa Zimoyo  : Fashion Talk 263

I love Saturdays because they bring out the fashion fanatic in me. To me, weekends are great when it comes to fashion. Remember don’t change to fit fashion but let fashion change you. So last week, I received a lot of feedback over the article on celebrity gone wrong, particularly wanting to know more about the cape.Yes the “Cape” trend is here and it is unisex, but for those not in the know please avoid wearing otherwise you will look like a submarine or space shuttle.

Our famous hip-hop mogul P Diddy managed to rock it well at the recently VMA’s while most ladies are now embracing it.

Capes are the ultimate in warmth and versatility, and a dream if you love layers (who doesn’t, at this time of year?) Although summer-spring, they add some colour and gives confidence.

But the bottom line is they are a must have for winter but with Zimbabwe weather patterns which are unpredictable and unreliable you can rock it anyway.

This is how you style it

Well, pull on a blanket cape at the weekend, and be ready for the great outdoors in jeans or dungarees and a slouchy hat.

Cosy up in the knit variety, rendered extra smart with ribs or a bound edging, and pair with leopard-spot pants.

Try the classic trench style with something daring, such as black patent or animal print, or add a touch of class with a leather trim.

Opt for a below-the-knee cape for dramatic effect, but team with simple clothes such as skinnies and heels.

Move up rather than down with a crop, coupled with denim, or use blocks of colour to make a bold statement.

Go bo-ho, verging on poncho, with a fringed version over ripped jeans.

Zip up or hide under a hood to keep out autumn chills, or snuggle into an outsize faux-fur collar.

Match a more tailored style with a mini, fedora and over-knee boots, or slip into a smooth cape blazer, stunning in white (or any other colour, actually).

Naturally, playtime is our favourite time of day, so for evening, slink into a sleek black tuxe-style.

Turn heads by adding embossed or leather pants, and maybe a hat — that’s it, you’re ready for anything!

Again you can wear with leggings and sunnies, or pull on a beanie and a leather mini.

Accessorise with boots and clutch bags, just right if you’ve plumped for arm slits. As kids from two to a hundred-and-two know, capes are donned by super-heroes to save the world.

Star of the week

Our star of the week is United Kingdom-based Zimbabwe-born fashion designer Rahima Mohammed who has managed to penetrate the international scene with her brand RAAAH.

Rahima Mohammed

She has successfully showcased at UK’s biggest fashion trade show Pure London, Africa Fashion Week London 2014, both in early August, London Fashion Week kick-starter event The Catwalk Edit, and Zimbabwe Fashion Showcase 2016.

Founded in April 2014, RAAAH is the versatile and contemporary ‘Fly/Fly High’ collection informed by a celebration of colours from more earthy creams and ivories to vibrant reds and timeless black, bold shapes as well as vintage inspired pieces which, according to Rahima, requires to certain level of confidence to pull off.

The designs had the intended effect on the runway turning heads, stealing the show and flying high.

Effortless elegance and sleek silhouettes which embody stylish yet sophisticated simplicity are the design aesthetics which govern RAAAH creations making the label ideal for contemporary women of all ages with a range of ready-to-wear as well as made-to-measure cutting edge looks pitched between the High Street and the high end.

Since its launch RAAAH has continued to make waves both at home and abroad, attracting the attention of national and international media and buyers as well as celebrities such as Tiwa Savage.

“I was born a fashionista. I’ve so far made my label heard in Europe and West Africa, Zimbabwe is still not familiar with RAAAH, so I am working on it, I have partcipated at the Zim Fashion Week. I am coming back home late this year not only for business but to host one show,” said Rahima.

She said RAAAH is a ladies fashion brand that creates elegant, cutting edge pieces that are pitched between High St and High End fashion labels.

“We endeavour to make sure that our customers ooze class, elegance and simplicity in our ready to wear creations or our custom made to measure pieces,” she said.

According to information on her website, it was some few years ago she started dreaming and just visualising herself somewhere up there in the fashion industry.

“As I have a passion for fashion, I started wanting it so badly and thinking what I would call my brand, how big I’d be, how I can make, how I actually had a thirst for it and how it was calling and destiny, I just knew.

“At that time of thinking about the capital, I launched First Chapter Boutique where I was selling high end women’s clothing and shoes, which I bought ready made from different suppliers.

“It was up and down and then I left it for a bit and I just woke up saying I wanted to study fashion drawing because I have so many ideas in my head which I would like to be able to put on paper and show people, my creative creations designs and also inspired designs which take my liking but feel something is not right and needs to be changed in many aspects and I will do it how I think it should be.

“So I went to study fashion drawing at The London College of Fashion to perfect my drawing/sketching skills and that inspired me more to want to bring my designs out. And of course the dreams and visions kept appearing and I knew this is it,” she said.

The stylish designer said was inspired by a lot of young successful designers, watching them work hard and get benefits.