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some of them grew up in the ghetto.
The ghetto has been stereotyped as a place where people with no ambitions and bad morals dwell.
Yet reality has proved otherwise as people who grew up in the ghetto are creative, innovative, brilliant and talented.
In ghetto suburbs such as Mbare, Highfield, Glen Norah and Mufakose has emerged refined fashion designers showcasing exquisite cultural fashion.
There is an assumption that fashion trends in ghettos promote deviance and loose morals, but upcoming designer Nyaradzo Chirwa from Mbare staged an exclusive fashion show challenging this misconception.
She said the fact that fashion is a common term used to describe the style and type of clothing worn by most people in a given society or community, fashion cannot be separated from the ghetto.
Saturday Lifestyle was honoured to attend the Summer Glamour fashion show held at Mbare Community Church popularly known as Faith Ministries.
The fashion show ran under the theme “Elegant and Sassy” to complement the exotic fashion style being showcased.
Those who attended the inaugural fashion gave thumbs-up to the show with a standing ovation. Although Nyaradzo worked with amateur models she surprisingly made the event a huge success similar to “Project Runway’ that even US model and entrepreneur Heidi Klum would turn green with envy and even learn one or two things from the show.
The Chinhoyi University of Technology fashion design student who was inspired by societal setting saw it vital to stage such an event and promote the culture of fashion.
“God inspires much of my work but most of my designs are through societal setting. I am history in the making, telling a real life story of the ghetto because I was born and raised in the ghetto,” she said.
The 27-year-old designer said her couture is made up of stretch silk material and colour combination and co-ordination is a must in every dress.
She added: “My designs are called Pearl Collection because I am special. I have decided to make summer collection since we are approaching summer soon. It is about colour and body hugging outfits. I use stretch material that usually enhances the female body. My designs range from silk taffeta for ball gowns that some say brings out the princess look by revisiting hour glass silhouettes from the Victorian period. My formal wear collection is associated with dull and neutral colours, asymmetrical designs and I work well with red, orange, pink and lilac. “
“It is exciting to see the flowering of my talent and development of my skills as they progress through the programme. In the course of two years, I learnt so much about the industry — from apparel production, machinist skills, pattern drafting, fashion illustration, production skills, garment production through to managing small businesses.”
Nyaradzo said after such a spectacular fashion show, she is very much looking forward to venture into other fashion projects.
She said her role model has always been her mother who has inspired her to the woman she is now.
“My role model has always been my mother. She is a hard worker, intelligent and smart. So far the greatest challenges we face as ghetto designers is appreciation and support. I used to be a pharmacist and when I changed my profession to become a designer many people could not take the heat. I faced the stigma from my friends and family, but here I am and I have proved them wrong that passion is about perseverance and determination,” she said.
Nyaradzo said uninformed people regard designing as a job for those who failed to make it in life.
“Soon many will be rushing to shops looking for Pearl Collection, but all this is coming from a humble person like me,.
Nyaradzo highlighted that for the industry to grow in Zimbabwe, there should be more fashion magazines to support and promote them.
“It is lack of exposure that we are facing. If you go looking for event or partnership all they say and ask is you are from Mbare, very sorry we can’t accommodate you but believe you me after my inaugural event I have received overwhelming responses from the corporate world,” she said.
The first born in a family of three girls, Nyaradzo is engaged to Walter Madziva. Today she is standing with her head high as a ghetto fashion designer.
Online Reporter