Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube [email protected]
Bulawayo fashion designer Felicia Phiri has turned her childhood passion for sketching and storytelling into a growing career that has seen her work with local influencers and take up the role of wardrobe manager for Miss Rural Zimbabwe.
Born and bred in Bulawayo, Phiri said her creative journey began at a young age when she wrote scripts and pursued fine art.
Her love for storytelling later found expression through fashion, as she began sketching clothes inspired by the stories she wrote.
Phiri said fashion also became an outlet during a difficult period in her life following the loss of a loved one.
“I love designing. Sometimes I find myself waking up at night to sketch a design. It is in my veins. I love my work and it allows me to express myself, and portray my joy, pain and sorrows.
“When I started, I was going through loss of a loved one. To avoid too much stress, I would sit and start my sketching. It was a way of laying down my thoughts and feelings,” she said.
What started as an emotional outlet gradually developed into a career and a source of income for her family.
The positive response to her work, coupled with referrals from satisfied clients, encouraged her to pursue fashion designing full-time.
Her career has since opened opportunities to work with Zimbabwean celebrities and participate in high-profile events.
Phiri credits fashion entrepreneur Sipho Mazibuko for helping her access some of these opportunities.
“One of my friends introduced me to Sipho Mazibuko, who was working on women empowerment in business. I showed her my designs and she loved them. Courtesy of her, I was later invited to a recycling exhibition, where my designs were showcased at the SADC Pomona exhibition.
“At this event, one of my memorable experiences was seeing my designs being admired by leaders in attendance. It was amazing seeing some of my designs being marvelled at by the SADC 24 Heads of State,” she said.
Her work has since extended to Miss Rural Zimbabwe, where she serves as the pageant’s wardrobe manager.
The pageant focuses on creating opportunities for young women from rural communities through modelling, mentorship and skills development.
Phiri said her involvement in the pageant also reflected her passion for Zimbabwean culture and the role fashion plays in expressing identity.
“I am one person who so much believes and loves everything about Zimbabwean culture. Moreover,
I believe that one has to be identified through cultural dressing. Not that it is discriminating, but being proud of your roots,” she said.
Being part of Miss Rural Zimbabwe, Phiri said it has helped her in bringing together designers into the spotlight while creating opportunities for women in rural communities.
She said the platform had also encouraged designers who previously lacked confidence or exposure to showcase their work.
“Zimbabwe is full of talent in the art industry. Miss Rural Zimbabwe has been focusing on the girl child living in rural areas. With the help and mentorship from Mazibuko, we have been doing pageants around the country, leaving no one behind. Many designers want to come out of the closet and show people their talents,” she said.
Beyond designing, Phiri wants to challenge perceptions that fashion is a career only for people without formal education.
“Many people think fashion designing is for the uneducated. They are not aware that one can go to universities to do Fine Art and Fashion Designing. This is a norm that we must fight because it has suppressed many talented people out there, who shy away from chasing their dreams in fashion, because of people who overlook it,” said Phiri.
Looking ahead, Phiri wants to take her brand, A’nguni, beyond Zimbabwe and help nurture the next generation of designers. She also hopes to see Zimbabwean designers gain international recognition.
“I wish to see my brand A’nguni recognised around the world. Also train young people with interest in fashion designing. I would like to see us Zimbabwean designers showcase designs around the world and to be known and recognised the same way as Versace and Gucci,” she said.
