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Rutendo Karikoga

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Senior Arts Reporter
One thing people need to understand with fashion is every day is your runway and you need to always be on point.

Fashion designer and cancer patient Rutendo Karikoga said there was a huge gap in Zimbabwe fashion industry because of lack of exposure and support amongst ourselves.

Karikoga, who is also the creative director of Famba Neni made the remarks last Friday at the launch and fashion show of Isu Collections, leather handbags, held in Eastlea, Harare.

The event which was held under the theme, “The Art of Chemotherapy — A journey with no end” saw fashion designers, photographers, models, socialites and celebrities in attendance.

Singers such as Tammy Moyo, Ayati and Tendai managed to serenade the guests with their hit songs before guests had a chance to watch a video clip by Karikoga in which she shared her journey on cancer and fashion.

In an interview, Karikoga said her story is told in paintings and bags.
“It is true that there is a huge gap in terms of fashion development in the country.

“I look at Ghana and I see how they have managed to go and being developed and fast when it comes to fashion. This is because they support their local products. They have also created policies that facilitated local people to buy and purchase their stuffs which is also lacking here in Zimbabwe,” she said. Karikoga said the collection displayed was inspired by her cancer journey.

“I was diagnosed in 2016. I named the show Famba Neni because it is the art of chemotherapy.
“In this collection there are 21 people that I had interviewed and each bag has been named after them. Some of them are cancer victims and I chose to tell a story and share my experience how I am feeling through paintings and art. The bags displayed here are all locally made.

“I bought the leather and canvas here. I cut out templates and designed them according to each story,” she said.

She said the bags are not to be auctioned but some have already been purchased by people in the diaspora. Karikoga said is set to leave for Italy end of the month to go and showcase her wares.

“I wish to work with David Alford and musically, it would be Oliver Mtukudzi when it comes to fashion and music.
“End of this month I am leaving for Italy to showcase my talent and putting Zimbabwe on the map. The label is to tell a story in Zimbabwean collective,” she said.