ZIM FASHION SCENE UNDERGOING SEISMIC CHANGES

Langalihle Mhiti

ZIMBABWE’S fashion scene is experiencing a seismic shift which blends cultural pride, youthful creativity and global inspiration.

From the streets of Harare to the runways of Bulawayo, the country’s style is being redefined by music, social media, heritage, and the bold voices of young designers.Local music stars continue to lead the way in fashion trends.From Holy Ten’s sporty streetwear to Tammy Moyo’s sleek Afrofusion outfits, artists are more than musicians —they are style influencers.

“Whenever Nutty O drops a new music video, I watch it twice, once for the music and again for the fashion,” said 20-year-old Ruvimbo Mudzamiri from Avondale. “We dress like the people we listen to.”

Stylists working with musicians have become trendsetters themselves.

“Music and fashion are inseparable in Zimbabwe,” said Samantha Mupfumbate, a stylist for several Zimdancehall artists.

“Fans want to wear what their favourite stars wear, it’s powerful influence.”Zimbabwe’s style revolution is also taking place online.

With platforms like TikTok and Instagram, young fashionistas are learning, copying and remixing looks from all over the world.“TikTok taught me how to turn my dad’s old blazer into a cropped jacket,” said 18-year-old Anesu Nyika, a fashion content creator from Chitungwiza.

“Now I run a small thrifting page, fashion is my hustle.”

Influencers such as Hillary Makaya and Kim Jayde have built entire brands from their style alone, collaborating with local designers and even international labels.“Social media has opened doors,” said one designer Tatenda Mhlanga.

“We’re not waiting for international recognition and we’re creating it from here.”Across Harare and beyond, traditional African fabrics are making a comeback but with a twist.

Designers are mixing ankara and batik with modern cuts, turning what was once reserved for formal events into every day fashion.

“Wearing prints isn’t just a trend. It’s how I show where I’m from,” said 25-year-old fashion student Rudo Chikowore.

“My grandmother wore Zambia, and now I remix it with sneakers and a denim jacket.”Shows like Matobo Goes Fashion prove that heritage and high fashion can walk the same runway. “Culture is our starting point,” said show organiser Vusa Dube.“We’re not copying Paris or Milan, we’re showing the world who we are.”

Designers like Haus of Stone, Tapfumanei Munenge, and Richard Jeans are rising names in Zimbabwe’s fashion circles.Their designs are featured in fashion weeks, music videos, and weddings alike.“We’re crafting stories with fabric,” said Haus of Stone founder Natsai Mawere.

“Zimbabwe is not short of inspiration and we’re just now being heard.”

Local brands are also tackling fast fashion by offering custom, sustainable, and hand-crafted alternatives.“We want people to buy less, but buy better,” said designer Tapiwa “Tapps” Manyika of SokoStyle.

Harare’s streets tell a fashion story of their own. Youth-led pop-up events like SS Fabrik Party have turned car parks into fashion spaces where second-hand denim, DIY fits, and bold streetwear take centre stage.

“Thrifting is more than just cheap clothes,” said Brian “Styles” Gwekwerere, a 22-year-old streetwear trader in Glen View. “It’s about finding something no one else has and flipping it your way.”

While global trends make their way into Zimbabwe, locals put their spin on them.

Minimalist suits are paired with bold beads, or gender-neutral cuts worn with cultural fabrics. “Fashion has no borders anymore,” said fashion blogger Melissa Nyathi.

“But the most exciting fashion is the kind that tells your personal story that’s what we’re doing here.”

The conversation around eco-fashion is growing too. With Zimbabweans increasingly aware of environmental impact, more designers are recycling and upcycling.“We use offcuts to make jewellery and handbags,” said designer Rumbi Zuze.

“Nothing goes to waste in our studio.”Young people are also part of the shift.

“Instead of buying fast fashion, I tailor my outfits or trade with friends,” said 19-year-old college student Tafadzwa Mangoma. “It’s cheaper, cooler and sustainable.”

Zimbabwe Fashion Week, now back on the calendar, has become a hub for designers, photographers, models, and buyers.

“Fashion is not just art, it’s business,” said ZFW director Pamela Chigumira.

“We’re connecting local talent to the world.”

With the rise of Instagram stores, custom tailoring services, and online boutiques, fashion has become an income stream for many.

“Designing clothes paid my tuition,” said third-year university student Fadzayi Kanyimo, who runs a tailoring service from her dorm.

“If you have creativity and a sewing machine, you’re in business.”

Despite all the energy, challenges remain.