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Chipo Mapondera Fashion
I have come across many young Zimbabweans who are interested in careers in fashion. I have also heard the opinions of many of their parents who baulk at the idea. I suppose a job in fashion, like many creative industries seems prone to the luck-of-the-draw, and perhaps a little frivolous, with limited prospects for success and security.
Another reason for doubt could be the fact that we do not tend to see many black or African faces in the highest echelons of fashion. This makes the possibility seem even more far-fetched as, I believe, it is easier to conceive of an idea, when it relates to you. I find myself always looking for successful black females in the industry as a way to chart where I will be one day, and I am happy to say there is a new (small) but significant crop of professionals from the continent, or with African heritage that you need to know about. Most are under the radar, some are not, but all have been consistently carving out their niche in the industry and are receiving due recognition.
Menswear designer Oswald Boateng has revolutionised the concept of Savile Row tailoring, with a sartorial twist of colours, fabrics and cuts that demonstrate his unique perspective and his colourful Ghanaian heritage. Born in London, Boateng is the first name in suiting for starts like Paul Bettany, Jamie Foxx and Idris Elba. He was also the first black man to be appointed by Paris couture house Givenchy, as creative director for menswear, which he fulfilled for three years. To add to the list of achievements, Britain’s most prestigious private bank, Coutts & Co invited him to design the look for their premium credit card. Despite the fame Boateng has not forgotten his roots, hosting a number of shows and events in his native Ghana, reminding the world of where he is from and what Africa has to offer.
Chioma Nnadi is the girl many girls want to be. As fashion writer for American Vogue, she is part of one of the most powerful companies in the industry. The British-Nigerian writer got to the top the traditional way — hard work and dedication, with previous posts at The Evening Standard and American music magazine The Fader.
Chioma believes that it was her passion for all things fashion that got her to where she is, and her advice to would-be fashion writers is to read and gain as much knowledge about fashion as possible. Her blog Nnadi By Natureis a good place to start.
As far as the promotion of African fashion goes, African Fashion International Fashion Week is making the world take notice. Not only is it providing a platform for South African designers, but also for those from across the continent. Recognised by Vogue Italia as “The Fashion Doctor” AFI’s founder Dr Precious Moloi Motsepe was invited as a guest speaker at the International Herald Tribune’s luxury conference on “The Promise of Africa and the Power of the Mediterranean” in 2012. Dr Motsepe has cemented her role as one of the continent’s go to experts on its future in fashion.
Beyonce’s best kept secret, and one of the most stylish individuals in New York, Jenke-Ahmed Tailly is known as the most enigmatic stylist in the business. Having worked on the mega-star’s image for the past four years, Tailly tastefully guided Queen B from her formerly conservative, and predictable look to the more edgy designer-led style that she pulls off today. I predict the launch of his agency Taste Atelier will provide a creative hotbed for Hollywood’s biggest names.
Uche Okonkwo is a personal hero of mine as a luxury brand strategist. When I asked a branding professor for his recommended list of books on fashion brand management he gave me one — Okonkwo’s Luxury Fashion Branding, a tome that has been referenced by brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Gucci. These brands have also consulted with the Nigerian-born pioneer who has pioneered the concept of strategic management in luxury fashion with her Paris-based firm Luxe Corp, and through the launch of her online magazine Luxe-Mag.com.
As the founder and artistic director of Style House Files, Omoyemi Akerele is another woman making waves in fashion branding. Known as the driving force behind Nigeria’s burgeoning fashion industry, her company assists designers with branding strategies and helps them gain exposure through international showcases like the Italian Pitti Imagine trade show, and her Lagos Fashion & Design Week. She was most recently appointed as deputy chairman on the board of Africa’s first global, luxury online fashion retail hub, Kisua, and was named as one of The Business Of Fashion’s top 500 people to watch in the fashion industry. Who would not want to have such a formidable force behind them?
Rounding off the list is local beauty Nyasha Matonhodze, who fronted the Louis Vuitton AW12 advertising campaign and became an instant sensation, featuring in international glossies Harper’s Bazaar, Teen Vogue and Love, and starring in Rihanna’s campaign for the pop star’s collection with UK retailer River Island. Nyasha’s big break came when her mother decided to take her to the renowned Elite model agency to find out if her lanky daughter could indeed become a model. They could not doubt Nyasha’s poise and she is now primed to be a big star due to greater diversification in fashion and the industry’s interest in a fresh look.
Not only are the aforementioned individuals making a mark in the fashion industry, they also demonstrate the versatility of careers in fashion. Above all they show that nowadays, this elusive world is not so out of reach. With more Zimbabweans abroad, there is nothing to stop us from approaching our favourite magazines for work (I did and was accepted, much to my surprise) or going in to a model agency like Ms Matonhodze did for her daughter. I hope above all that these individuals, and others not on this list, will be inspiring nonetheless.
Online Reporter