Prominent Designer’s Meet up a Stepping Stone to Greater Heights
Eleven well-known local fashion designers who are aiming for the global stage got together on Saturday at Emagumeni in Helensvale, Harare, where they not only had fun but also exchanged ideas and talked about how to move forward with increasing the visibility of the local fashion industry.
The designers began with a motivational talk led by celebrity moderator Nyce Noma Ncube about what designers stand for, what inspires them to create a particular piece of clothing or style a person, business and the economy, market niche, and clientele.
As opposed to operating a back door business, business executive Steve Tadzoka, who was their guest, opened their eyes to the significance of proper business operations and legal rights.
The designers concurred, saying, “Our dream is to dress our own first lady Mai Mnangagwa and all the national leaders as they represent us out there.”
As of right now, suitcase merchants who travel the globe bringing cheap materials and phony labels for their clothes to sell to the general public have a greater market share than local designers.
As a result, very few locals now seek out clothing made locally. The other reason is that designers are purchasing materials at such high costs that their clothing becomes unaffordable for those with modest incomes.
After the gathering, the designers—who were decked out in their own clothing—took a catwalk to display their creations, which included couture, formal wear, knitwear, and casual ensembles. They did in fact demonstrate that they possess the artistic talent necessary to succeed in the global fashion industry.
Ishmael Tsakatsa, Roseline Murawu, Grace Mazvani, Blessed Sawaya, Chiedza Ndhlovu, Eunice Kudzai Gurure, Nandi Lareti, Grace Maingire, Thembelihle Fuyana, Tafadzwa Midzi, Hilda Marinda, and Tapfumaneyi Munenge, who later joined the group, were present at the event.
