Fashion expo to promote local designs

Yeukai Karengezeka Arts Correspondent
Two designers, Chipo Chapfika and Rudo Nondo, have joined hands in coming up with a project called “Fashion Collective Market” to be launched on September 28 at Palm Estate in Greystone Park.One of the organisers, Chapfika said the event which is expected to change the face of the fashion industry will see more than 17 local designers taking part.

“This moving market, which is like an exhibition for designers, seeks to promote local designers by giving them alternative retail space and about 17 designers will be participating.

“We have different labels like ‘Yanai’ by Tapiwa Mudekunye, ‘Ndnm’ by Gwinyai Mabika, ‘Loncrae’ by Nadine Ninebaar, ‘Deekawzee’ by Taku Chitsike amongst others,” she said.

There will be an exhibition by designers of various styles that include bridal wear and safari wear among many other styles.

Chapfika said the idea came about after realising that the public was not exposed to the products from local designers.

“We found out that local designers were working in isolation and wanted to find a way to allow the public to access and assess Zimbabwe’s best designs.

“We want to promote local and ethical fashion and want to make them (locals) aware of their clothes,” she said.

The event will be running under the theme “Retrobass” as a way of going back to the roots of fashion.

“Our fashion collective event has such a theme because we are taking fashion back through the ages.

“We want to see the fashion industry reverberate and revive it all the way from textiles to manufacturing and we are encouraging the public to buy local clothes,” said Chapfika.

Chapfika said plans are underway to establish a permanent place for designers and to make this a regular event.

“As our project is growing we look into establishing a permanent retail space for our designers and we are going to be moving from place to place after every three months,” she said.

Chapfika, who is a self-taught designer, makes chic women’s wear and is known for her label “Haus of Stone” while her colleague Rudo Nondo is known for her label “Anaia” and makes urban African vintage wear.