Local designer striking it big overseas

Society Reporter

ZIMBABWE-born interior designer Chawada Kachidza-Fabisch is raising the country’s flag high in the fashion world.

Earlier this month, she scooped the Best Traditional Outfit prize at the Style Stakes, a prestigious Dubai World Cup held at the Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates.

The event is one of the world’s richest horse racing games and attracts heavyweights from across the globe.

They come to watch jockeys compete for a staggering prize of US$30 million.

Prior to this, Kachidza-Fabisch won the Hat competition at the Horse Racing: Gallop, 153rd Germany Derby in Hamburg last year.

In an interview with The Sunday Mail Society, the Germany-based Kachidza-Fabisch said she personally designed the award-winning outfit and drew inspiration from her Zimbabwean roots.

“My special hat was inspired by the Zimbabwean national flower — the Flame Lily — and I sourced the fabric, sinamay, from the United Kingdom. I decided it would be a bit easier to replicate the white calla lily and that it would be the perfect way to represent and showcase my country of birth and an element of me,” she said.

“The train element of my dress was influenced by the ‘maZambia’ sarongs that many women across Africa wear on a daily basis.”

To create a more visual and distinct look, she picked an African print fabric with a dominant bold bright yellow colour and an easily appealing design that subconsciously gives a positive vibe to the viewer.

Kachidza-Fabisch is the widow of former Zimbabwe Warriors coach Reinhard Fabisch and mother of Jonah, who is an international football star at Hamburg FC.

“My style is rooted in the African and Shona heritage and my company’s goal is to create a distinctive style, build a loyal following of clients who appreciate our unique style and approach to design,” she added.

Asked what we can expect in the near future, she said: “You can expect to see us in pop-up shops and at fashion events in Harare, as well as collaborating with local artists who share our vision and passion.

“I also want to help women who have suffered the same fate as me and are raising children single-handedly.”