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Kumbirayi Shoniwa Entertainment Reporter
When fashion designer Gwinyai Chabvepi (27) travelled outside the country he was struck by the fact that people were wearing clothes featuring cities like Los Angeles and New York, even though they were in South Africa or the UK.
This realisation led the creative stylist to come up with the idea of establishing an exclusive label for his own native city of Harare which could compete with other international designs and the “Harare Originals” or “Harare. Org” brand was born.
“My label basically represents the Sunshine City and is a brand that is meant to incite pride in where we come from just like Johannesburg has ‘’Ama Kip Kip” which the people there take pleasure in identifying with,” said Chabvepi.
Harare Originals creations include round-necked T-shirts, cardigans, hoodies, knitwear, caps and golf shirts among others.
Celebrities who have been seen wearing the brand include Zimbabwean-born rapper Pee Kay of the hit song “Mahwani” who is currently touring the United States and Canada donning the label, as well as DJ Cleo who has been spotted wearing the brand in some of his music videos.
Brand manager of the label Natalie Simbini revealed that they will continue to evolve and bring fresh limited edition designs to the public both locally and abroad.
“Our aim is to have Harare Originals become a household name that people can identify with even if they do not come from the city, they just have to recognise what it represents.
“The brand is steadily growing in popularity as our sales have risen locally, in addition we are receiving orders from Zimbabweans in the Diaspora who want to be identified with their country of origin,” she added.
Chabvepi holds a degree from the University of Zimbabwe and attended the London School of Fashion which is located in Sandton, South Africa to sharpen his fashio skills.
Online Reporter