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Lovemore Meya Arts Correspondent
Young designer Tanaka Samukange the founder of fashion house 7:30 Apparel was crowned the emerging designer of the year at the Fashion Week Zimbabwe recently.
Samukange won the title after he outshined four other designers in a tight competition.

For his effort, Samukange was awarded with $500 cash to go towards kick-starting his career and promoting his fashion projects that include in One Brother Sewing Machine, Two Mannequins and Spread in STITCH Magazine.

In addition he will feature in a look book shoot of the 2014 winners and get complete business branding sponsored by DVASH Studio as well as one year hosting and free internet sponsored by UMAX Broadband.

Samukange will be accorded with a three-month internship with Truworths Zimbabwe, one month grooming and deportment course with Catherine Ruze Agency and guidance in various areas by specialists in the fashion business to help see his business take off.

“The three-month mentorship journey was a great learning experience for me. I learnt so many things from the business of fashion, fashion photography to branding and identity,” said Samukange.

Fashion Week Zimbabwe founder and director, Shamiso Ruzvidzo, said she was thrilled that they had pulled it off the way they did.

Ruzvidzo said that while it was important for businesses and NGOs to be involved with events like FWZ, it was critical for the government be involved as well.

“We need to start reviving clothing and textiles in order for fashion to grow. We hope we can start working with government to make this happen,” she said.

Samukange is a Harare Polytechnic student studying towards a diploma in design for print.

Designer development is a key mandate for FWZ, which aims at providing local talent with an invaluable opportunity to kick-start careers.