adminTHE year 2014 was one of the most eventful years in the Zimbabwean fashion industry, paying particular interest to Bulawayo where the major highlight for me was the formation, by local designers of a board — Bulawayo Board of Designers — to govern their activities. Not only was there a formation of a designer’s board but there were a number of fashion shows held this year, all showcasing upcoming designers and the more pronounced designers.
The fashion industry was a hive of activity not only in relation to clothing but also in accessorising where a number of accessory designers also made their mark.
At the beginning of 2014 we witnessed a trend, which most ladies were really fond of — colour blocking — it was an eye-opener but on my part I rather didn’t fancy the trend, as it resembled somewhat a Christmas tree.
Soon after we witnessed the return of various other trends, which were or rather are renditions of yesteryear fashion trends, as they say old-school fashion never goes out of style.
Also the fashion industry witnessed a few enterprising individuals such as Justin Masiwe, who introduced the online shopping agency — ZimboShopper — similar to that of America’s e-Bay. Here one can shop for any clothing item or even property. Sometime between July and August I travelled to South Africa where I witnessed one bizarre trend — artificial teeth being sold on the streets. All for the sake of fashion, street jewellers perched themselves at various corners of the streets selling fake gold teeth and other accessories.
Towards the end of August this year, we learnt of the shenanigans happening in the fashion industry in Bulawayo, where one segment of a certain agency was being accused of fuelling despondency and disunity in the industry, which had been flowing smoothly and peacefully without any designers fighting. It was this agency that saw some members of the Bulawayo Board of Designers breaking away from the board opting for the agency, which I will not name for professional reasons.
Anyway we also saw the rise of people, ladies in particular posing naked and taking selfies, for vanity reasons. This was one topic I enjoyed discussing, where one self-proclaimed nudist said she personally didn’t find anything wrong with posing nude, as long as she or the person posing nude felt comfortable with themselves. She did mention, however, that being entirely naked in public was uncultural.
In October this year the Lupane Women’s Centre, obviously in Lupane ventured in the designing of apparel. This was not just any apparel but clothing made of reeds. They also went on to dress contestants taking part in the Miss Earth Zimbabwe pageant. This was a major development and achievement for the rural folk if you ask me. Then came the deadly Ebola virus, where some Americans made mockery of it and spread unnecessary alarm and panic claiming that the virus was air bone, all for the sake of popularising some of their clothing.
Last month I remember posing a topic — should non-Africans wear African clothing? I asked this after seeing how many of our African brothers and sisters prefer not to wear their traditional clothing instead opting for Western clothing. Nonetheless you can’t avoid reality and deny who you really are.
Seeing as we are in the rainy season where the temperatures are constantly hot I also spoke about summer’s “deathly” odours. People as I always say bathing is necessary and also just try to save a few dollars and get deodorants. Being in the rainy season packing up on rain garb is also essential as I noted.
Before I draw to the end there also was a trend where people began adorning themselves with dreadlocks, which for some reason have become very popular of late. I had spoken to one stylist in Bulawayo who goes by the name Langa. I understand that a week ago he was in a dreadlock and styling competition. As anticipated he came out tops and as he had claimed to be the best the competition proved it.
With that I guess I will leave it there for the week, hoping you had a cheerful and merry Christmas.
Feedback:
Hi, I like your articles. Keep the fire burning brother. — 0771420512.
Hey, I totally love your articles man, they really rock. Can you help me or do one on bad breath. — 0774010361.
Till next week, let’s keep styling. For feedback sms or whatsapp ONLY 0772337433.
Bongani Ndlovu