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Lifestyle Editor
Male or female, the young people with any social pretensions are on the bandwagon of genuine designer labels. They would sooner die than be seen in a big fashion brand rip off!
Tinashe Mangwiro (22) an accountancy student at private college in Harare says that clothes are all about aspirations, ambition and brand management.
“There is no debate between a genuine label and a fake, okay? With fakes the quality is shoddy and often the spelling is wrong. You would rather not have the item than wear a fake,” he contents.
But the genuine labels are pricey. A BOY cap goes for US$40. Skinny jeans by Gucci and Truckfit will cost from between US$40 and US$60.
For young ladies 23 is the label that is trending. Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simons is a classic that has stayed in the race for a long time.
Nicky Minaj’s self named label which produces neon items is also another big hit with the young crowd. KK by Kim Kardashian is also a good label to be seen in.
“You have to know where to buy the products otherwise you end up with fakes even if you pay a lot of money. A lot of the shops in the CBD are selling fakes and those are the clothes that you see all the cheap skates wearing at the same time,” said Tariro Gwaze (19) who is doing her A Levels at a government school in Harare.
She went on to warn against some individuals who import clothes from places like Dubai and China which they sell at the price of originals yet they are fakes.
The obvious question that comes to mind is how all these young people can afford to keep up with the trends. Where does the money come from?
“Well, you know, you just have to be fast. There is always something to do,” obscurely explained one youth hanging around Ximex Mall. He admitted that some of the transactions they carry out would not stand close scrutiny under the law.
He said that every day is a fashion parade and no youth wants to be caught out in fake labels or wearing something that is not perceived to be at the cutting edge of fashion with intense rivalry to out-trend everyone else.
It looks like elements of izikhothane are drifting into the capital city. Izikhothane refers to a South African youth subculture where kids try to outdo each other in acquiring the most expensive and latest labels.
But unlike the local youths who simply want to be seen at prime spots like Westgate, Avondale, Sam Levy, Joina City and Eastgate, the SA youngsters then go on to tear up or burn the expensive items to show that they can afford the extravagance.
It is believed that this subculture is double edged. On one hand it encourages the youngsters to be innovative about making money, occupies them and builds their self-confidence. But on the flip side it is also believed to fuel crime and gangs. Theft and prostitution are the vices that the boys and girls respectively fall into to support the habit of expensive clothes and gadgets.
And who can say all these flashily dressed kids in Zimbabwe are any different from their SA counterparts in how they make the money to keep up this artificial lifestyle?
Online Reporter