Africa Fashion Week list of designers out

Let’s Get Stylish
GREAT news for fashion savvy people, it has been confirmed that Zimbabwe will showcase at the Africa Fashion Week to be held in Toronto, Canada in August this year.
For those who follow this column, I am sure you remember I mentioned that there were a couple of local designers who had been selected to represent the country at the high profile, international event.

If you do remember, I did mention that I would not reveal their names until I had made certain who they were.
This week, I give you their names and brief profiles and will also highlight the need to support them, as they embark on a historical project to get the country that possesses remarkable designers that are fashion savvy.

Three designers, namely Sidumiso Tshuma of Shadow, known for his print works has participated at numerous fashion events across Zimbabwe. He launched the label in 2004, after he found a suitable name for his collections, as he was nicknamed shadow because of his dark complexion.

Instead of mopping around and losing his self-esteem, Sidumiso took the name as his brand and demonstrated how one can embrace their uniqueness and market it to the rest of the world.

The second is Nkululeko Ncube of Rebelious Klothing, a clothing label which was launched after showcasing at Clothing Indaba in 2013. The label is for individuals that are daring and have the guts to wear the craziest unimaginable apparel.

The third designer is Sheenah Moyo of the label BlinQ, a button work line, she founded in Victoria Falls.
The label is a button work accessory established in 2012 by the jewellery designer. The label appreciates the little, yet unique things that we take for granted as society and he adds life to them. The label uses mainly buttons to create jewellery and has grown so much to the extent of being invited to showcase at the African Fashion Week Toronto in Canada this year.

These designers will be part of the four Southern African Designers participating in this global fashion event.
Another major highlight that needs to be emphasised is that Zimbabwe, among all the other countries taking part in the event, is the only country with more than one designer showcasing in Canada.

While I was researching on these designers I happened to come across an initiative to raise funds for them, as they embark on a journey to represent the nation internationally.

The initiative, dubbed the 120 Fashion Fund, introduced by the managing director of Hunnar Management Agency, Gilmore Moyo and young fashion icon Mbonisi Mahonondo popularly referred to as Mbo Mahocs, seeks to get 120 people that will donate a $1 or more for the three designers.

“As a Style Icon of the Year nominee for the 2013 Zimbabwe Fashion Week Awards, I felt it was my responsibility to support these designers by facilitating the sourcing of funds for this event,” said Gilmore.

He said funds have been raised to cover some areas of their trip, but felt that as a city that recently celebrated 120 years, this would be an ideal project that would promote sustainability among creative individuals.

“This event is a huge platform for these three designers to get global recognition as well as meet buyers from across the globe. Some people and companies have already donated something towards this project and I am still eager to see other people coming through. We have raised half of the funds and we are left with a total of $2 450 to turn the initiative into a success,” he said.

This is one of the greatest methods of getting our country recognised and those that are willing should support these guys on their journey to get Zimbabwe on the world fashion map.

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