2024 was quite the eventful (no pun intended) year for Zimbabwean fashion.
Most names and brands in Zim fashion can chalk 2024 down as a year of mixed fortunes; marked by sporadic releases owing to a shrinking market. Given the odds; it wasn’t necessarily the releases, but rather the events, that ended up keeping Zim fashion alive to see another year.
Throughout the year; the clothing markets, runway shows, and everything in-between became the heartbeat of fashion and style.
As we get into 2025, some events have become regular fixtures on the fashion calendar, anticipated by all; while plenty more came and went. Nevertheless, our continued efforts as Mcheno and More ensured that every major event’s contribution to the game didn’t go unnoticed.
Towards the end of the year, a new player unexpectedly entered the chat; one that truly piqued our interest. On November 9, the inaugural edition of The Upcycling Lab, an initiative supported by the Zimbabwean German Society, was hosted.
On a sunny Saturday in Milton Park, we witnessed music and sustainable fashion gel together in rhythmic style. Such a double header ensured fashionistas, musicians, and connoisseurs of the culture converged in their droves to support the culture. The Zimbabwe German Society has remained supportive of creatives over the years, and The Upcycling Lab initiative hit the bullseye. Numbers don’t lie – bringing together designers and musicians was a masterstroke.
The runway show had a specific focus on upcycled merch, and the three designers on display understood the assignment. From statement pieces made from repurposed newspapers to elegant garments crafted from upcycled textiles, the designs on display were a testament to the creativity and innovation of the designers.
The Fashion
A week after her Fabrik Party debut, Ruvarashe Mutsinze got yet another chance to showcase her brilliance with her brand AVUR. She debuted a collection called Mbare Royals, wholly made from materials thrifted in Mbare. Speaking with us after the show, Mutsinze explained the motivation behind the collection, saying;
”I wanted to show that you can have a fancy show with things you thrifted, my collection was giving royalty vibes with each piece representing a different clan.“
And truly, the Mbare Royals collection was all about thrifted royalty — five upcycled pieces that oozed elegance and creativity. Mutsinze chose earthy tones for the Mbare Royals Collection, blending the fabrics well with some unique handmade accessories.
The eyecatcher of the collection was a green silk dress, complete with its crown. Perhaps the highlight of the entire show, there was a dress made out of newspapers (watch out for the rain!), also complete with its own crown. A two—piece suit and a brown dress completed Mbare Royals’ ladieswear.
The only menswear piece in the collection was an artwork in the form of a cream-colored suit. The bottom was scribbled with what seemed like . The jacket was ripped in half, only to be held together by pins; and adorned with a painting reminiscent of Basquiat in the back. Now that’s beyond apparel, that’s art.
After leaving the crowd mesmerized with her work, Mutsinze was humble enough to see the Upcycling Lab as just another step in AVUR’s journey; and not the confirmation of her brilliance that it was.
“I think anytime I’m given the opportunity to create, it helps me grow. So yeah, I learned new things whilst making this collection and AVUR gained more people and the response was great,” she concluded.
In 2023, Beth Jotham told us that it was her dream to expand her then totes-only brand to clothing. A year on, that dream was fulfilled at the Upcycling Lab. Her brand, Totem by Beth J, debuted its first ever clothing collection titled Elements.
The collection, as with the Unganai Collection, drew its inspiration from nature; as Beth explained, “Every piece stood for one of the elements of the earth — fire, water, earth and wind.”
The Elements collection was befitting for an event like The Upcycling Lab — sustainable fashion taking inspiration from nature itself.
The collection took to draping for the aesthetic, the standout piece a brown dress accessorised by fabric earrings. This dress represented Earth. An orange-reddish dress with hints of black stood for Fire. Water was represented a blue kimono with a bucket hat to match, while Wind got the pants and vest treatment, together with a crotchet bucket hat that had some impressive cowrie shells pattern.
Closing off the runway was NinetyNine, who showcased a four-piece collection called Alive Again. The pieces were streetwear inspired, combining bold silhouettes with intricate details. Ninety-Nine’s showcase made sure to leave the people clamouring for more.
Speaking to us after the runway, NinetyNine founder Prince Kajuwa felt overwhelmed by the crowd’s response, as he said with a smile; ”The response was really amazing! I honestly didn’t know people would like my work to such an extent.“
The Music
As we headed into the night, the fashion made way for the music. Indeed, the lineup of performers complemented the fashion showcase perfectly — both sets of creatives talented and passionate at their chosen crafts.
It was rapper Chomu who got the arduous task of warming up the crowd, and he didn’t disappoint. Looking dapper in a one-of-one ROZEBOWL shirt, he wowed the crowd with his cadence and flow.
He performed three songs from his debut EP called Southsider, music that had everyone bumping their heads and occasionally grimacing to a sick punchline or two.
By the time Chomu had done justice as the opener, the crowd was already on their feet. Perfect timing for celebrated spoken word artist Bhanshee.
She delivered a high tempo performance, as always. She then took it up a notch when she was joined by songstress Shama on stage. Soothing vocals and poetry in motion; just perfect.
Also on the lineup was rapper Collmagz, infusing boom-bap and Afrobeats to create his own special sound.
The multi-talented Sai was up next. For this performance, she shut off the backtrack and decided to go with a live band; a decision that the crowd was soon relishing. She stated off the performance with an emotive song called RIOT that tugged at the crowd’s heartstrings, and got everyone up on their feet.
But wait, that’s not all.
In perhaps the greatest example of the event itself, Sai unveiled a collaboration with Guided Youth towards the end of her set. The collection featured five colourful tees, hand painted by the artist herself. By the end of Sai’s performance, the Upcycling Lab had achieved a rare feat of fostering collaboration across three artforms in one sweep.
Wrapping it up was Que The Artist, the man who had made it all possible by founding the Upcycling Lab initiative. Onstage though, his only focus was matching the energy of the preceding performers. And that he did. He sampled songs from his latest project called Lost In My World, much to the delight of an already-hyped crowd. One song, Mambure, became an instant crowd-favourite.
When all was said and done, a raucous applause from the crowd filled the space. Well deserved.
The Founder
After witnessing such brilliance, we obviously had to catch up with the mind behind Upcycling Lab – Que The Artist. Having already given us a musical performance, Que was also wearing the hat of Creative Director of Upcycling Lab; and we just had to pick his mind. Below is an excerpt of our short conversation. Enjoy!
Hey Que! Thank you so much for finding time on such a busy day. First off, what motivated you to launch the Upcycling Lab initiative?
The Upcycling Lab is a groundbreaking initiative that was born out of a deep concern for the environment and a desire to combat the negative impacts of fast fashion and climate change. By bringing together talented musicians and innovative fashion designers, the event seeks to promote the concept of upcycling as a sustainable solution.
This collaborative platform aims to ignite creativity, encourage cross-disciplinary partnerships within the creative community, and advocate for eco-conscious practices in the fashion industry.
How do you feel, after hosting such a great first edition of the event?
The overwhelming success and positive reception of the Upcycling Lab were truly heartwarming. With an impressive attendance of 250 to 300 individuals, we were able to effectively communicate our vision and message.
Three resident designers showcased their stunning upcycled creations, each piece telling a unique story of transformation and sustainability. We also managed to shoot a captivating fashion documentary filmed during a visit to Mbare when the designers were thrifting secondhand clothing to use for this project. We are going to be screening this Documentary soon as part of an activity from the Upcycling Lab.
Beyond the pomp and fanfare of this event, how is this platform going to help out creatives?
The core mission of the Upcycling Lab is to provide a dynamic platform for fashion designers and musicians to collaborate and unleash their creative potential through the transformative power of upcycling.
By championing the cause of sustainable fashion, this initiative aims to spark meaningful conversations, inspire innovative designs, and drive awareness about the urgent need for environmentally friendly practices in the fashion industry.
How can a platform like this contribute to the growth of Zimbabwean fashion?
Our platform serves as a vibrant community hub for individuals who share a deep passion for fashion, music, and authenticity. By fostering an environment where personal identity thrives and genuine creativity flourishes, we empower designers and musicians to build authentic brands that resonate with audiences.
Through this collective effort, we aim to cultivate a new wave of sustainable fashion advocates who embrace their uniqueness and drive positive change within the industry.
Is there going to be another edition of Upcycling Lab, and what can we expect?
Of course! Looking ahead to the next edition, we shall be expanding the Upcycling Lab into a two-day event.
The first day will feature engaging panel discussions on climate change and the critical role of sustainable fashion, setting the stage for insightful conversations and impactful dialogue. On both days, attendees can explore pop-up stalls showcasing upcycled creations and witness the main fashion show — an immersive experience celebrating the beauty and creativity of sustainable fashion.
[End of excerpt]
The Point
Let’s be honest, it’s dire times in Zim fashion. The customers are distracted, the corporates have turned their backs and the boutiques just don’t care. But there’s hope for us.
Us.
All we have as an industry is community, and community is gathering. Which is why events are important.
Instead for waiting to be invited to the table, let us show up and create our own platforms to support each other. The networking, conversations, showcases, performances, and obviously good vibes; that’s what’s going to build this industry to the reality we all aspire to.
When people meet together, something magical happens. Even better when artforms blend. Music might have hit the growth spurt first, but fashion and music in Zimbabwe will forever be intertwined.
Urban grooves wasn’t just the music it was also the fashion — the ‘MuSalad‘ aesthetic. Tehn Diamond had us all rocking the Happy tees in the mid-2010’s, and today’s rapstars are leaning closer and closer towards homegrown brands. And this is just the beginning.
With the emergence of events like the Upcycling Lab, it seems the two artforms will likely continue bringing creatives together into a new generation.
The Upcycling Lab perfectly epitomizes the event we need, and more importantly the community we must build. It’s time to break down the borders and collaborate, not just amongst ourselves, but with other creatives in the space.
Lets all meet at the next Upcycling Lab, looking our best; and ready to do our part to build the creative industry as a whole.
If you can’t make it, well Mcheno and More will be there to document the moment for you.
