Fashion designing runs in her blood

Brenda Phiri Lifestyle Writer
FUNGISAI Zvakavapano-Mashavave makes it on the list of celebrated gospel musicians in the country. She has been there and has seen it all as far as music is concerned. Of late, Fungisai, a wife and proud mother of three, has set her mind on exploring other avenues in her life. It looks like the songstress has found a new love, after music, in fashion designing. She has set high standards in music and will she do the same in the local fashion industry.
Saturday Lifestyle’s Brenda Phiri (BP) had a one on one with Fungisai (FZM).

BP: What inspired you to venture into designing?
FZM: I have been inspired by my belief in uniqueness; I have an inner desire to surpass mediocrity in everything I do especially when it comes to music and fashion. I have always been that person who enjoys attention and I believe, my public appearance should make lasting impressions. Like every man and woman created by God, I am fearfully and wonderfully made and I believe I am a little goddess who can bring fashion creativity to life.

BP: When did you start designing?
FZM: From childhood, I had a passion for designing having learnt tailoring from my mother. However, I took it seriously when I ventured into music. Designing became a necessity relevant to distinguish the image I intended to create for my brand. Hence you will realise that the majority of my designs have been featured on all my music videos and live performances.

BP: Who else have you designed for?
FZM: Initially I was designing my own outfits and that of my backing vocalists. I then expanded and opened up to my fans. Now I am doing uniforms for church choirs, functions dresses as well as corporate wear. I have also worked with tourism pageant models and recently I did the sashes for the carnival queen and Miss Heritage Zimbabwe.

BP: Have you ever taken part in any fashion shows locally or regionally?
FZM: Not yet but we have something in the pipeline. Fashion designing is not highly regarded in our country. It has not been given so much prominence and I intend to change that perception. We have renowned designers locally, like Joyce Chimanye who have dressed great men like Nelson Mandela and yet you will find that our local fashion houses do not stock her designs at all.

It appears that our local industry values foreign brands more; hence you will find that our fashion taste is influenced by foreign culture and yet given the resources, we have the power to influence our own fashion and that of the world. I pray and hope whoever comes up with the National Budget this time will remember the arts and culture, for we are relevant in boosting local production.

I think it’s about time this indigenisation we talk and sing about started creating opportunities for local designers to distribute their work through renowned fashion houses. It’s a shame that when local designers approach these fashion houses they are blatantly shunned and told that they cannot be accommodated because fashion houses are controlled by a foreign headquarters somewhere.

The foreign headquarters therefore determines what they distribute and usually local products are regarded as substandard and not even given attention.

BP: Rumour has it that you have 200 gowns that are part of your wardrobe which you designed. Can you confirm that?
FZM: Having been in the music for more than 10 years, I have obviously staged more than 200 concerts and have had a number of videos. It is therefore possible that I have designed more than 200 gowns for myself but I hadn’t realised it until now! Lol.
Rarely do I want to repeat dresses on stage hence it’s imperative that I design something new for every event. But my red dress, I can wear it again and again, it’s one of my best!

BP: How do you divide your time between music and designing?
FZM: I believe in the adage which says “Once an artist, always one. It is my passion for creating things that landed me in music and designing. I cannot separate the two. Sometimes when composing a song I may also visualise the appropriate wardrobe for its video, and it is from that fantasy that I create my designs.

BP: What are your future plans in terms of fashion?
FZM: I plan to extend my borders, improve my brand and boost its acceptability to the generality of Zimbabweans. I hope to expand my supply and employ more people in the House of Nasya production. I will only rest when my designs have matched my music in terms of acceptability.