adminYeukai Karengezeka Arts Correspondent
Upcoming designer Adby Znzorzi, real name Tinashe Phiri, successfully launched a new collection at a fashion exhibition dubbed “Trend Setting Chorister” at the Meikles Hotels recently.The award-winning fashion designer specialised on uniform designs for the United Family International Church choir as part of his final year project at Chinhoyi University of Technology.
“I specialised on the choir which I believe is international in order to bring the international aspect into the design. It is the most talked about church so I want the choir to inspire people not just through singing but also through their outfits,” he said.
He used captivating material that is in the fashion trend these days.
“For the dresses, shirts and trousers l designed, I adopted the African aesthetics and European aesthetics because I wanted to be very trendy. On other dresses l designed the zip is out as opposed to the norm where it will be inside,” he said.
The 24-year-old said he was grateful for the support he got from the church and Meikles Hotel.
“I am grateful to Prophet Emmanuel and Prophetess Ruth Makandiwa who have sponsored this show in terms of all the things I used and I thank the hotel for offering me the venue,” he said.
UFIC choir leader Pastor Hubert Chigumira said he was impressed by the designs.
“I am really astonished with what I have seen here and I am grateful that Adby took heed of the Prophet’s teachings about the power of imagination. He is very talented and I believe his label shall be the best in the world,” he said.
Adby had his debut exhibition at this year’s Harare International Festival of Arts which he titled “A Blue Blooded World,” he said.
Adby specialises in women’s ready-to-wear clothes and he won the Best Emerging Designer of the year at the 2013 Zimbabwe Fashion Awards.
In 2011 he was one of six competing young designers who created five “earth friendly” garments for Fashion Week extravaganza.
Excelling in the competition, his emerging talent caught the eye of Johannesburg-based David Tlale, the glamorous and internationally-respected fashion designer.
Adby worked with Tlale from August 2012 to August 2013, starting as an intern and rising to make his own designs along a youthful line called Van Der Tlale.
Online Reporter