When fashion sense makes cents

Roselyn Sachiti Features Editor
EVERY Monday, Farai Mushayademo (36) of Warren Park 1, Harare, joins thousands of formal and informal workers who trickle into the central business district. Always immaculately dressed, Mushayademo, nicknamed “MaSuits”, makes his first stop at a wholesale in the CBD where he buys water, bottles of fizzy and energy drinks and snacks and puts them in two plastics.

A few moments later, he walks along Robert Mugabe Road, towards Simon Muzenda Street (formerly Fourth Street) and makes his stop at the intersection of the two roads. While others disappear beyond the walls of buildings that house their workplaces, Mushayademo has reached his “óffice”, the intersection of Robert Mugabe Road and Simon Muzenda Street, which has been his office since 2000.

In the midst of traffic that ranges from the notorious and dangerous “mushika- shika” and commuter omnibus drivers known for reckless driving, he struts up and down the busy road as he sells bottled water, an assortment of fizzy drinks and snacks in search of the elusive dollar.

He seems oblivious of the risk he faces in this traffic jungle.

He has made it a habit to wear a suit everyday of his life for as long as he comes to his “office”. He has also made it a point that each day has its own suit. Even on Sunday, Mushayademo – who is a follower of the Salvation Army Church – wears his church uniform, which also happens to be a suit.

On the day of the interview, Mushayademo – clad in a purple suit, black shirt, black leather shoes, black and purple bow tie, and donning sunglasses – looked every bit suited for an air-conditioned office.

“I own 40 suits, 40 shirts, an equal number of bowties, pairs of stocks and sunglasses. Each suit has a shirt, matching bowtie and shoes. I don’t have a single pair of jeans, but a few pairs of shorts and T- shirts which I sometimes wear at home.

“My wife Chipo and son Tanaka also own the same number of suits. Tanaka has his small suits,” he revealed.

A tailor by training through mentoring by his childhood friend only identified as Tichaona, Mushayademo says he finds joy in designing and sewing his own suits.

“I first identify the kind of suit I want. My wife usually helps me choose the colours when we shop for materials. I own a sewing machine and it takes me about four days to design and sew one suit. When I design mine, I also do the same for my wife and kid so that we have an equal number of clothes. My wife also owns 40 suits and 40 pairs of shoes, so does my son,” he bragged.

Despite being a tailor, Mushayademo has no intention of making this trade his source of livelihood preferring to rather vend as this gives him better income.

“Each day I sell about 10 cases of water. Each case contains 12 bottles which I sell at 50 cents each. I also sell fizzy drinks and snacks and make about $40 per day. This is way much better taking into consideration what I used to earn as a tailor. I just sew for my wife and kid,” he added.

The secret to his vending success is in his suits which he says attract and excite customers.

Everyday Mushayademo spots a different colour of suit from red, blue, green, purple, lilac, white , orange, pink, black, grey, brown, blue, silver and beige among others.

Each suit has its matching pair of shoes.

The effect of the suits is huge as like a sore thumb he stands out of the rest of his fellow vendors.

“I decided that the best place to wear my suits was in the streets where I am the only vendor wearing such. I always stand out in a positive way and this is good for my business,” he said.

While people have different views on the right place and occasion to wear suits, his office in the street is the right place at least for the past 16 years.

“As far as I am concerned there is no law that says a suit is only worn in an office setting, weddings or cocktail parties, etc. Where you work is your office. You should look good and clean at all times,” he said.

In his line of work, he added, appearances and cleanliness matter as these can be the difference between making handsome pickings and going home empty-handed.

“Cleanliness is next to godliness. People love to buy from clean people. When customers see me in my suit, they get excited and end up buying even if they had no intention of doing so. Most of the money I make is from people who are impressed by the way I dress. It means I am doing something right and I will continue doing so,” he further ex- plained.

He believes most vendors are looked down upon as they do not bother about their appearances.

“Even if you sell maize you should make your customers want to buy because of the way you look. You do not want people to start thinking of diseases like cholera once they see you selling something,” he added.

Since he started wearing suits, Mushayademo has had the most interesting remarks from his neighbours.

“Where I stay, most people think I work in an office. Those I board commuter omnibuses with also think the same but always get the shock of their lives when they see me selling bottled water. I have never misrepresented to them what I do. They actually say I am lying when I tell them I am a vendor. This has taught me never to judge a book by its cover,” he said.

A former student of Warren Park 1, Mushayadembo’s highest level of education is Form Four. Given an opportunity he would like to move from the streets to start his own business.

“I see my business growing in the next few years. I dream of opening my own shop but my biggest challenge now is accessing credit lines since most banks want payslips to prove you can pay back loans,” he added.

With 40 suits in his wardrobe, he says they could be more but he gives away old ones to friends and family.

And when he dies, his wish is to wear them all since he does not have a favourite, but only one will make it to his final resting place.