The revamped Zimbabwe Fashion Week has proved itself to be more than just a fashion week, going beyond the runway and equipping the next generation of talent through their Creative Accelerator Programme.
On May 11th, 2024, they hosted the inaugural graduation ceremony for the Creative Accelerator Programme final cohort at the National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe. Only four from the initial group of ten students selected from the Chinhoyi University of Technology made it through the 13-week Facilitation Workshop that not only taught them life-changing skills in fashion design, but also gave them the knowledge to build sustainable brands in a cutthroat industry.
To mark this significant milestone for the initiative, the Zimbabwe Fashion Week Trust pulled all the stops to give the young designers the full experience – a runway fashion show for them to exhibit the expertise they had gained from the programme. The venue selection couldn’t have been more perfect – the picturesque National Art Gallery, right in the middle of the city, surrounded by fine art.
Before the main event, a trio of Zimbabwe’s finest budding fashion designers showcased sublime looks to the delight of the audience.
First up was Tashinga Chigombe of Yet Galore, Victoria Falls’ booming streetwear brand whose upcycled yet original pieces have captured the attention of every runway they have been featured on. This runway was no different, combining earthy tones and denim to deliver nine diverse, never-seen-before looks. “The skirts were to die for,” as one audience member put it.
Speaking to Mcheno And More, Chigombe shared the inspiration for the ‘collection-which-was-not-a-collection’;
“This wasn’t a collection per se. It was more of a creative exploration, it was me (sic) trying to bring the whole safari look onto the runway. My inspiration was my hometown.”
Next up was South Africa-based twelve-year old Evelyn Mubochwa of AfroJumbo, who proved that she is already playing in the big leagues with a sleek fusion of formal and chic. Rightly so, being so ahead of the curve, a creative force like Mubochwa is always living in the future.
“What inspires me and my work is the future, and it shall always be the future,” she said.
Finally, Kundai Mangena of Caryn Amani flaunted four looks that integrated diverse body shapes and sizes, notably featuring plus-size clothing, catering for every Zimbabwean woman.
After an Afrobeats-laden musical break; the graduates, namely Ashley Kagande, Diana Mlambo, Lorraine Chaza, and Isheunoziva Zuze got a chance to showcase three designs each to a jubilant audience that comprised of family, friends, esteemed dignitaries, media and fashion enthusiasts alike.
Their facilitators for the Programme, Tatenda Chidzidzi and Nompumelelo Samambgwa, also got a chance to show that they were teaching the young designers what they knew about.
The theme guiding this first iteration of the Creative Accelerator Programme centred on the art of draping in fashion design, it honours legendary figures such as Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi.
This thematic exploration allowed cohort members to use linen fabric to make their garments and imbue elements from their mood boards that spoke of inspiration, resilience and resulted in the weaving of compelling narratives within their designs.
Guest of honour at the event; Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Sports, Arts, Recreation and Culture, Honourable Emily Jesaya was impressed by the talent on display, and had these encouraging words for the young designers;
“Fashion stands as a powerful reminder of our heritage, our traditions and our unique identities. In Zimbabwe, fashion is not merely about clothing but it is a form of expression, a reflection of our history, our values and our aspirations where students have excelled in both creation and delivery.”
We caught up with acclaimed poet Kuda Rice, who attended the show to catch his thoughts on what he witnessed. He concurred that the graduates had stuck to the idea of the theme, although he admitted that they had not fully translated the theme with their designs.
Nonetheless, from what he saw, he gave an inspiring vision of Zimbabwean fashion’s future, saying;
“I’m loving the investment that is happening from the Ministry, and their interest in wanting to grow the fashion industry. That is necessary because when we have that investment, we’re able to grow the industry. I think that in the next few years, there’s going to be a lot of growth, we’ll be seeing a lot of youth operating within the fashion space and some of them even going global.”
Speaking to Mcheno And More after the show, one of the four final cohorts, Ashley Kagande, was simultaneously ecstatic and relieved that she had gotten right to the end of the Programme. Sharing some of her biggest takeaways from the Programme, Kagande said;
“Firstly, I’d say the connections and networking that came with this opportunity. I’m sure that network is going to help me going forward. Secondly, I learnt the vitality of communication.”
Having learnt a range of skills and insights from the Programme, Kagande cherished two techniques that she hopes to use in the near future.
“I would retain draping and surface embellishment. Why draping? It’s a faster and easier method of creating a garment. You can also see your mistakes faster, because there isn’t much cutting involved. As for surface embellishment; everyone wants something that looks nice and unique, and beads achieve that,” she explained.
She also described her creative process in coming up with her three pieces for the Graduation showcase;
“For me, I took Mbuya Nehanda as our national grandmother, that was more or less my theme. I incorporated modesty and decency in my designs, for her to adorn the part. At the same time, I also used corsets to create a flattering image, considering that nowadays people are after modern styles that flatter the body. In my mind, I had what the modern Mbuya Nehanda would look like.”
So, what does the near future hold for the young designer? She exclusively revealed to Mcheno And More that she is planning on launching a brand called Murisi, taking inspiration from the Shona word for ‘shepherd’. Although she didn’t give exact dates, she promised an official announcement before the end of the year.
And that is the impact of the Trust’s work. At its first attempt, the Creative Accelerator Programme has become a launchpad for the careers of young, ambitious designers.
In an industry where most excel by way of trial and error, and sometimes even sheer dumb luck; the Trust is giving recent graduates a workable blueprint. One can only hope that as they continue building the Zimbabwe Fashion Week beyond its first show in four years, the Trust extends the Creative Accelerator Programme to more young designers.
