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notes at the third edition of the fair
Designers who include Sibonile Chimanikire, Black Trash (Botswana), David Tlale and Selfi by Celeste both from South Africa were the major highlights since Thursday, showcasing their design.
Today local designers such as Rumbidzai Ngwarai, Sandra Matamisa, The Tribe Called by Terrence Chipembere, Faithwear, Melusi Nhengu, Countess K by Alice Knuth will end the show with their spectacular designs.
One could agree that if we could rewind five years, Zimbabweans were stuck in a fashion swampland but today the country’s streets resemble the catwalks of Europe.
The event which was organised by model/designer Priscilla Chigariro saw South African designers David Tlale, Sheldon Kopman joining local renowned designers that included Maita Marimo, Joyce Chimanye, Rutendo Mutamwira and Collin Ratisai in showcasing their designs.
To add to the glamour four models from Botswana’s First Models Agency also modelled at the prestigious event together with our local models that included Soraya Vallabh, Wesley Gurajena and Rumbidza Mudzengerere.
The Batswana, Lesedi Chery, Teshawn Miller, Boitumelo Kaneli and Fortune Tanatsa Madyise have taken part in numerous fashion events around the world including the Colour in the Desert Fashion Week (Botswana) and London Fashion Week. This year they will also take part in Swahilli Fashion Week (Kenya).
The First Models representatives were among the guests at a launch cocktail for ZFW held on Thursday night.
On the opening night, Zanu-PF Secretary for Women Affairs Oppah Muchinguri said the fashion week was about breaking barriers, and exploring the inner self.
“It is wonderful to see and hear young women who are proud of what they do, who love their country,” she said.
Muchinguri who was clad in black and blue designer outfit applauded the organisers for the well choreographed event.
“Before you can achieve anything in life you need to learn to be proud, visionary, creativity, inspirational and willing to learn from others,” she said.
The executive founder Chigariro said the show was a success and continued to grow each year.
“I thank God that the event was a success, each year we are learning new things and this has developed the fashion industry,” she said.
Chigariro who turned 30 yesterday said today’s final episode will end with award presentation honouring the people who have made an immense contribution to local fashion industry.
“Achievers will be honoured under various categories such as Top Designer, Top Model and Top Blogger.
“I hope people have embraced the idea and took the advantage of the show as it was necessary for the growth of the industry,” she                        said.
Chigariro has a vast experience as a professional model, boasting a career that started with her clinching the Super Face title in the annual Supermodel Search run by Zimbabwe Sun Hotels in 2000.
She has worked on a number of campaigns, advertisements and shows including the Vukani Fashion Show, SA Fashion Week, Guess Jeans campaign, Virgin Mobile, Coca Cola Lite and done shoots in publications such as Destiny Magazine, True Love, Elle Magazine, Cosmopolitan and Y Mag.
ZFW was running under the theme “Breaking Barriers in Fashion and Technologies”.