adminTHE assumption that all modern and classic clothes are designed and manufactured by Western countries may soon be a thing of the past, with the introduction of unique African designs that are made from natural and readily available material for pageants.
Just like the African attire that got well marketed and became very popular in most African countries, the designs that Lupane Women Centre in partnership with Mustard Seed Africa are promoting may as well take over from where the African attire left if, as anticipated there is going to be a buy in from those that are intended to market the idea.
But unlike the African attire whose material anyone would go into the shop and purchase, the designs from Lupane mostly made from reeds will only be meant for models and designers willing to showcase the African handiwork.
In an interview Lupane Women Centre manageress, Hildegard Mufukare said they were mostly targeting pageants, as they felt that it was the quickest way to send the message across and capture the attention of young girls.
“We aim at not only promoting our products but also to promote and empower women, particularly young girls. We are already working with a few local and international designers and have also begun marketing our products. Recently we had the Miss Earth Zimbabwe pageant trying out our products, which are a first of their kind in the country. We want to turn this into a global idea where we will be regarded as the leading brand in producing and supplying African rural attire made from raw materials such as reeds,” she said.
Mufukare said they started working with Mustard Seed Africa in 2013.
“We were invited to a partnership with Mustard Seed Africa in 2013. The project which is themed Rural to Ramp Handcraft Showcase was incepted with the hope of partnering with handcraft artisans as well as international and local designers to develop products that are African by inspiration and contemporary in design.
“The collaboration ensures skill sharing, benchmarking and an opportunity for artisans to develop products for the next season. This project culminates into a handcraft showcase where key stakeholders are invited to a high profile event to witness the beautiful work as a result of the cross cultural collaboration. Sales, promotion, publicity and networking are a result of this initiative,” said the founder of the project, Gail Mawocha.
Mustard Seed Africa’s Rural to Ramp Handcraft Showcase brings together handcraft artists and organisations to partner local and international designers as they work on craft couture that is presented to a select audience.
The platform ensures skills-sharing, benchmarking and enables the artisans to get an appreciation of local and international trends. Through the project they also work towards fine tuning their skills and thinking outside the box.
It also assists handcraft organisations and artisans to get inspiration for products for the next season.
“Since we are already into basket weaving, this is just but a new task that we will master in no time. We hope to also attract men into this project, through designing apparel that is appealing to men,” said Mufukare.
Online Reporter