Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Zimoyo-Lifestyle Editor
The trophies have been handed out, the applause has faded and the stage lights have dimmed in the aftermath of the latest edition of the National Arts Merit Awards.
But long after the winners have celebrated their victories and the losers sulking or counting their losses, another conversation refuses to die down — the fashion spectacle that unfolded on the red carpet.
If anything, this year proved the red carpet can sometimes be more hectic than the awards themselves.
The theme for the night was “Fearless”.
In fashion terms, fearless should translate into bold colours, daring silhouettes and striking designs that celebrate creativity while still respecting the elegance of a prestigious cultural event.
Some guests understood the assignment perfectly.
They arrived in commanding outfits — dramatic gowns, structured tailoring and rich fabrics that celebrated confidence and artistic flair. Plumage!
These looks reminded everyone that Zimbabwean fad has the potential to produce world-class red carpet moments when creativity meets discipline.
But for others, fearless quickly became something else entirely.
Let us start with some men.
Instead of sharp tailoring and daring but controlled statements, several outfits appeared overwhelmed by fabric. Thick, glossy materials draped heavily from shoulders and sleeves, lapel collars, flowing in exaggerated folds that seemed more suited for luxury curtains than couture suits.
Some designs featured such heavy, dripping fabric layers that the wearer appeared swallowed by the outfit rather than elevated by it.
At certain angles, the suits looked like expensive window drapes wrapped around the body, complete with dramatic folds that turned the red carpet into a moving textile showroom.
Then came the warrior-inspired looks.
Should I say, we had the Tatankas of WWE or Samurai Tokyo-Japan.
A few silhouettes featured wide shoulders, layered fabric panels and dramatic waist wraps that gave the impression of ancient battle gear.
Instead of sleek red-carpet elegance, some attendees looked like characters straight out of a samurai film, with outfits that resembled theatrical armour rather than modern couture.
Observers jokingly described the style as “samurai ChingLiu energy” — bold and theatrical but perhaps slightly misplaced for a glamorous awards ceremony.
Well, wrong for the awards show.
Of course, not every man turned the red carpet into a fabric experiment.
Some arrived looking sharp, elegant and confident.
Their suits were daring but structured, with velvet jackets, vibrant colours and precise tailoring proving that fearless fashion can work beautifully when the balance is right.
Best for men is just wear your black tuxedo and bow-tie, it suits everywhere and you will not fall from the garden.
Then came the bridal party effect.
At several points during the arrivals, the red carpet resembled a wedding rehearsal.
Soft pastel gowns, flowing fabrics and coordinated silhouettes made it seem as if a group of bridesmaids had mistakenly arrived at the awards instead of a reception venue.
My United Kingdom based friend Brena Mupa, media guru also jokingly said: “We still have a long way to go when it comes to dressing for awards, good thing this year there were no soccer jerseys.”
And the men did not escape the wedding theme either.
A few looked like carefully dressed groomsmen patiently waiting beside the altar.
Some also looked like father of the groom, of course what do you expect when you invite the old ‘madalas,’ some no longer fashion conscious but said let’s show up.
Elegant?
Perhaps.
But awards ceremonies are meant to celebrate individual style, not resemble a coordinated bridal photoshoot.
The beauty department also delivered a mix of brilliance and confusion.
Some makeup artists worked absolute magic.
Kudos to Audrey the Makeup as she did her wonders on most of the celebrities, like Destiny’s Child sang, “. . . I won’t mention no names . . .”
A number of celebrities appeared glowing under the lights with beautifully blended foundation, radiant skin and expertly balanced colours that elevated their entire look. But unfortunately, others seemed to have lost a fierce battle with their makeup brushes.
Overly powdered faces, mismatched foundation tones and heavy contouring created dramatic shadows that cameras quickly exposed.
One could mistake them that they were wearing masks like Power Rangers but alas, it was make-up disaster.
Under the unforgiving glare of red-carpet lights, some faces looked less like glamour and more like a cosmetic experiment gone wrong.
And then there is the matter of social media — where the red carpet does not just live locally.
Again some ladies mistook the awards show to prom night but challenge was age difference.
The moment images from the National Arts Merit Awards hit the internet, reactions began pouring in from across the region. On various platforms, some users from neighbouring countries openly mocked certain outfits, turning Zimbabwean red carpet fashion into online comedy material.
Memes started circulating, comparisons were made and suddenly some of the looks that were meant to impress became subjects of regional jokes.
It is a painful reality, but fashion is now global. Once those pictures hit the internet, the entire continent becomes the audience.
Still, amid the chaos and confusion, credit must be given where it is due.
The organisers Scarlet Media and Events Evolution, deserve applause for introducing a dedicated red carpet show this year.
Scarlet Media boss, Reginald Matinanga, said during one of the interviews, “Let’s start with the red carpet, I want to change the narrative.”
Surprisingly, he did.
After all, the red carpet is where the awards truly begin.
It is the moment where artists showcase personality, designers reveal creativity and the public gets its first taste of the glamour that defines the evening.
And to their credit, the red carpet was indeed alive with conversation.
Of course, this would normally be the moment where a fearless fashion critic begins naming the worst offenders.
But let us be honest.
Zimbabweans are not always ready for that level of honesty. The moment someone criticises an outfit, suddenly the critic becomes the villain. Social media storms erupt and before long the writer becomes the one under attack.
So, in the interest of peace and survival — no names will be mentioned today.
Well… almost none.
Because some people truly deserved recognition. The red carpet hosts — affectionately known as the three musketeers — absolutely delivered style and confidence.
Fashion buffs, Hollywood Lee, Eugene Trailblazer and Taboka Nleya arrived looking polished and perfectly prepared for the spotlight.
Their outfits were clearly crafted with intention — structured silhouettes, thoughtful styling and confident presentation that showed they understood the assignment.
They did not just host the red carpet.
They respected it.
And perhaps that is the real lesson from the fashion rollercoaster that was NAMA24.
Fearless fashion is not about wearing the loudest outfit in the room or drowning in dramatic fabric. It is about bold creativity executed with taste, discipline and confidence. Because when fearless fashion works, it creates unforgettable red-carpet magic.
But when it fails . . .
It creates moments that the internet will never forget.
