From a postponement to a relocation, the 2024 edition of the Zimbabwe Fashion Week has fizzled out to a complete cancellation, with two days remaining on the official program.
Zimbabwe Fashion Week Trust Director Marshall Mutsamwira made the announcement on late Saturday night after a tumultuous two days that started off with a lowkey cocktail party on Thursday and an undersubscribed runway show on Friday night.
“It is with deep regret that Zimbabwe Fashion Week announces the cancellation of the remaining shows for the 2024 showcase following unexpected developments that arose after Day One’s events. Despite extensive planning and commitment to delivering an exceptional experience, factors beyond our control have necessitated this difficult decision,” read part of the statement.
The cancellation leaves over ten brands that were still expected to showcase stranded, and the attendees that were expecting to witness some impressive fashion disappointed.
On Friday night, the seven brands that showcased had done justice to the platform they had been given, far exceeding expectations. Three designers from the re-FASHION Accelerator started off the show, proving immediately that they had graduated from students to masters.
Kikings Wearables by Keith Chikumbu proved that denim upcycling has a place in high fashion. Houz of Tinashe by Tinashe Kahlela showcased monochromatic masterpieces that were a perfect blend of street and suave. Scott Streetwear by Panashe Scott Zimuto used peculiar fabric to deliver signature pieces in earthy tones.
Three homegrown designers also shined on the runway during Friday’s festivities. Princelow Gurenje’s Whats Upstairs showcased a collection with beige and black overtones, whereby the stitchwork was the highlight. Mehreen Kamal of Reen Zara switched it up for this year’s edition, delivering a collection of elegant dresses adorned with bows. Tadiwanashe Mandaza of Ad’wa Maison came through with a colourful collection of snazzy pieces for the modern-day woman.
Friday’s headliner was Uju Designs by Nomthandazo Dladla, coming all the way from South Africa. She showcased twenty pieces that reflected her experience in the industry as well as her sheer brilliance.
The glimmer of Friday night had done well to calm anxieties, which is why Saturday’s cancellation came as a surprise. The development leaves everyone with more questions than answers. What went wrong? What comes next? Is this the end? The press release did not provide any answers except somewhat of a reassurance that the Zimbabwe Fashion Week will be back some day in the future.
“Zimbabwe Fashion Week remains committed to the local and international fashion community and will work closely with all sponsors, partners, and ticket holders to address any issues and provide the necessary support during this transition.
“We will continue to strive for the standards of excellence that our event is known for and look forward to the possibility of bringing Zimbabwe Fashion Week back, stronger than ever,” concluded the statement.
This disappointing turn of events represents a low ebb for the Trust, which was still recovering from a break between 2018 and 2023. In the bigger picture, this is a dark day for Zimbabwean fashion.
If a platform like the Zimbabwe Fashion Week falls to the wayside in this manner, the road ahead seems bleak. Platforms and opportunities for designers continue to shrink, forcing even the most passionate to surrender. One can only hope we live to see the Zimbabwe Fashion Week rise again.
