Zimpapers Logo

Tinopona Katsande

Tafadzwa Zimoyo Review Reporter
All is set for this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe Fashion Week slated for Palm State, Helensvale in Harare, from tomorrow to next Tuesday in an event that is expected to showcase the cream of local and international talent in the fashion field. Tonight the ZFW is hosting a cocktail at the same venue where everything is taking place, with designers, journalists, fashion enthusiasts witnessing the unveiling of the show’s programme focusing on the theme “Lost Tribes”.

With the models already in camp after being selected from a pool of more than 100 aspirants, the fashion designers and other hopefuls are waiting to see if they will make it for the coveted awards that are on offer in the various categories. A total of 44 models – 12 coming from regional countries such as Uganda, Botswana, South Africa and Cameroon – are set to showcase their designs.

Speaking to this reporter, Tinopona Katsande, who is the public relations officer of the ZFW, said everything is now in place for the show to roll, with top South African fashion guru Bryn Ramikalawan being one of the judges who will be sitting on the panel.

“I can confirm that the models are now in camp, and everything from the designer manuals which include fittings and dates, have been availed to them in order to act as a guide to the whole show. “We are also happy that Bryn Ramikalawan from Cape Town Fashion Council, who shall be judging during the contest has confirmed his attendance, while Priscilla Chigariro will be there for the production, technical and stage aspects of the event,” Katsande said.

She said there are five shows a day. “This year the ZFW is showcasing 35 designers inclusive of international designers. We have added an extra wholesome entertainment line up which includes local upcoming group Gwenga, South African-based electronic dance house music Jackie and Zambian pop-star Nyemba among others,” she said.

“The selection criteria considered those who are topping on the social media as well as their impact in society through fashion. And with regards to the judging process, people voted, but only for the Young Designers, Designer of the Year and Emerging Designer of the Year which is only judged on the night with our panel,” she said.

Added Katsande: “We also believe that models need to be educated to grasp issues related to their industry, while the same also applies to journalists who report on fashion. This is the reason why we recently held a media workshop for the journalists who cover this area.”

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Fashion International has issued a statement in which they defend their organisation from attacks and accusations by rival groups based in South Africa, whom they accused of being slanderous and defamatory in their remarks. “Zimbabwe Fashion International regrets to announce that it has become a victim of an unwarranted malicious act of slander and defamation by one of its disgruntled former service providers from South Africa, specifically Group of Creatives (GC) – an events management start-up, founded by Jen Deiner, the wife of a fashion photographer, Simon Deiner.

“ZFI has considered the legal options available to it in light of this ugly and dishonourable attack, but we have decided that to expend time and funds to punish GC will be an inefficient investment of our resources, and that the people who care about the industry and about general fairness will be able to see through the ugly fabric of false accusations if we set the record straight,” read part of the statement. The statement went on to outline the mission, goals and achievements of the organisation since its inception six years ago.