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Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
As momentum gathers for the fifth edition of the Zim Fashion Week that will take place from September 25 to 28, organisers are enthusiastic about the Emerging Designers Competition that will run on the sidelines of the show.Addressing journalists at this year’s venue, Harare City Library, ZFW founder and executive producer, Priscilla Chigariro, said the competition was a highlight that was meant to expose designers that had the skill while lacking resources.

“The Emerging Designer Competition is a month long programme that aims to train young designers on the theory and practical aspect of the fashion business. The most outstanding designers to emerge from the competition stand a chance to showcase at the ZFW,” she said.

She said this year’s event had a number of improvements among them the coming aboard of international buyers as well as a Hollywood celebrity Yuri Kolokolnikov.

“We have four international designers as well as international buyers coming through from Europe and South Africa for the ZFW. This came upon the realisation that locals are not keen on buying the clothes from the local designers at shows. These designers are taking the lead, giving exposure for the designers work,” he said Amongst the speakers at the event was politician Acie Lumumba who thanked the government for support of the fashion fete.

He said the youth ministry and particularly the Zimbabwe Youth Council was fully behind the ZFW.

“The fashion industry is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide and that means there are people making money from it. The question then becomes, ‘where does Zimbabwe fall into the picture of this fashion industry?’” he said

“Most of us prefer to wear famous fashion brands that are mostly external. We do not have to be end users all the time but be the fashion houses ourselves. ZFW has created opportunities for young people. This is job creation, this is an industry and jobs are being created,” he said.

He said while a people had different interpretation of Zim-Asset, it was ultimately about creating opportunities hence their stance on endorsing the event.

Meanwhile, well travelled Victoria Falls-based group Mokoomba and hip hop clique MMT will provide entertainment at the event.