Online Reporter
Zimpapers Arts, Entertainment Hub
BOWING to public demand, fashion is now among categories at the NAMA awards, with maiden winners being crowned this year.
The awards had been running for 23 years, with people being honoured in various categories that included music, theatre, literacy, film and television, among others.
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ)’s decision to include fashion highlights the council’s commitment to recognise the diverse and evolving landscape of creative expression in Zimbabwe.
Last year, the NACZ engaged 12 fashion houses and industry associations to discuss integrating fashion as an art-business sector.
This dialogue yielded valuable insights and set the stage for formal inclusion.
Additional engagements in early 2025, including virtual sessions led by chief executive Napoleon Nyanhi, deepened discussions on the challenges and frameworks for recognising fashion.
“Fashion serves as a powerful form of artistic expression, intertwining creativity, culture and entrepreneurship,” said Nyanhi.
“By recognising fashion within NAMA, NACZ aims to elevate this discipline and reinforce the vital role of designers and stylists in Zimbabwe’s cultural narrative.”
He said NACZ will collaborate with fashion experts to establish nomination guidelines and adjudication standards for the new category.
“The fashion award category will open for submissions in the NAMA 2026 cycle, with calls for entries already initiated for the 24th Edition. Further consultations will ensure the category reflects the diversity of Zimbabwe’s fashion industry.
“On July 7, 2025, NACZ hosted a pivotal virtual session with leading fashion designers to discuss the integration of a Fashion category in NAMA.”
“The objective of this meeting was to explore the feasibility and structure of the new category, ensuring it captures the artistic merit of Zimbabwe’s fashion industry,” he explained.
Esteemed designers, stylists and NACZ officials participated in crafting a meaningful recognition framework, discussing potential award criteria, category structuring and alignment with NACZ’s standards of excellence.
“As the custodian of Zimbabwe’s arts sector, NACZ is committed to celebrating emerging creative disciplines,” said Nyanhi.
“Our dialogue with creatives lays the foundation for fashion’s formal elevation within NAMA.”
However, according to NACZ, they will draft guidelines and nomination protocols in partnership with fashion stakeholders.
Additional industry engagement will ensure diverse voices are heard across Zimbabwe’s fashion landscape.
A dedicated fashion steering committee will be formed to oversee the new category.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in recognising and celebrating the vibrant fashion culture in Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, some local fashion icons, designers, stylists, retail shops, models and photographers among others have welcomed the initiative, saying it will go a long way in improving and developing the sector.
“We are more than grateful. It is quite an exciting thing to hear for clothing and retail textile being recognised at such prestigious awards after so long,” said prominent designer Ishmael Tsakatsa of Zarguesia brand fame.
“Most of the times they were focusing on music, film and literacy but they forgot that fashion plays a major role in all these disciplines as fashion and music or film are intertwined not separable. I think the way forward after this is that we would be seeing more fashion events and shows so as to inspire and promote the sector to help it grow.”
Tsakatsa said that he is happy that now fashion is finally paying in terms of recognition.
“At least this will promote competition and business in the sector, knowing that at the end of the year there is a reward.”
