At the eleventh hour, organisers of the Zimbabwe Fashion Week have decided to move this year’s edition from Victoria Falls to Harare.
Originally slated for 16-20 October, the event was postponed due to some unforseen circumstances. Now, the organisers have announced yet another change — the 2024 edition will be hosted at Zimbabwe Cultural and Creatives Arts (ZICCA) House, corner Sam Nujoma Street and Jason Moyo Avenue. The feté will now start on the evening of Thursday 31 October with an opening cocktail party, while Friday to Sunday are the main event days.
The bright lights and bustling streets of Harare will be the perfect backdrop for this year’s fashion week, considering the booming fashion scene in the capital.This year’s edition will feature a plentiful mix of homegrown and international designers; as well as the first cohort of the re-FASHION Accelerator — an initiative aimed at empowering talented streetwear designers.
Attendees can look forward to a seamless experience that’s rich with artistic vision and new opportunities for connection. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect over the weekend:
1 November
This year’s edition of Zimbabwe Fashion Week will feature a B2C Showroom where attendees can purchase pieces from the designers that will be showcasing. The Showroom will open at 1200hrs and close at 1800hrs to make way for the runway.
On Friday, a panel discussion on Culture and Heritage will be held at 1600hrs, officially starting the Day 1 programme.
The runway showcases begin at 1800hrs with three designers from the re-FASHION Accelerator displaying their works. First off will be Keith Chikumbu of Kikings Wearables, followed by Tinashe Kahlela of Houz of Tinashe. Panashe Scott Zimuto of Scott Streetwear closes of the re-FASHION showcase.
Stitches d’Or starts off the Designers’ showcases at 1900hrs. The brand focuses on haute-couture and luxury ready-to-wear clothing that draws inspiration from African aesthetics.
Up next will be veteran designer Esther Austin, who will be showcasing her self-titled womenswear brand that has spent over twenty years in the game.
Having showcased at the 2023 edition, Reen Zara will be at this year’s edition again. One can only wonder whether the brand will deliver a Middle-Eastern inspired collection again or come up with something different.
Princelow Gurenje of Whats Upstairs makes his Zimbabwe Fashion Week debut at 2000hrs, followed by Ad’wa Maison.
Friday’s headline designer is Koketso Chiepe of Koki Kamala, who will grace the runway at 2100hrs. The South African brand specializes in handcrafted leather bags and luxury clothing and will surely be one to look out for on the Zimbabwe Fashion Week program.
2 November
Saturday begins with a panel discussion on Sustainability in Fashion at 1600hrs, a great prelude to the runway show which begins at 1900hrs.
First up will be Buhle Moyo, head designer of IF-Acted, followed by Softlife Couture; an emerging brand that combines streetwear and corporate wear for a refreshing look. GLC Exclusive will also be showcasing. Expect to be wowed by a range of custom-made garments including evening, prom, wedding dresses and made to measure suits..
At 2000hrs, Nae Extravaganza will be on the runway to showcase its men’s designer wear. The brainchild of Anesu Mandingaisa, the brand was born from a school project, and is dedicated to crafting edgy, head-turning attire for the modern man.
Another one of last year’s designers will be on the runway this year again — Caryn Amani. Having showcased some regal African attire at the 2023 edition, anticipation is high on what Kundai Mangena will deliver for us this year.
With over a decade’s experience in fashion, South African brand Uju Designs by Nomthandazo Dladla will be in full force at the Zimbabwe Fashion Week.
Saturday’s headliner is Kente Gentleman, all the way from West Africa. The Ivorian brand was founded by Aristide Loua in 2017 with a mission to redefine ‘African Fashion’. Seven years later, the brand has captured worldwide attention for it’s refreshing take on wax print fabric and colour combinations. Kente Gentleman’s showcase is likely to be the highlight of the Zimbabwe Fashion Week.
3 November
The final day of the Zimbabwe Fashion Week will start with a panel discussion on Branding and Marketing at 1600hrs.
The final two designers from the re-FASHION Accelerator will then showcase at 1900hrs. Tashinga Chigombe of Yet Galore showcased at the 2023 edition, but this year he’ll be at the Zimbabwe Fashion Week under the re-FASHION Accelerator. Fresh of the Fabrikans Convention runway, Ropafadzo Mapira will be showcasing another collection with her brand Soleil.
Sikasso Wa Kasadi from the Democratic Republic of Congo starts of Sunday’s designer showcase with his vibrant brand called 6kasso. His work has been prominently featured in events such as Kinshasa Fashion Week and Africa Fashion Week, where he showcases collections celebrating African heritage with a contemporary twist. The Zimbabwe Fashion Week becomes yet another feather in his cap.
Up next will be Nomonde Designs by Nomonde Sambakunsi, an eco-friendly fashion brand for clothes, signature bags, and accessories. Well-travelled brand CharDesignz will also be showcasing at the Zimbabwe Fashion Week. Led by Charmaine Nziradzemhuka, the brand has featured at the Style Icon Awards, the Fabrik Party, Sustainable Fête, The Herald Lifestyle Fashion Extravaganza, as well as the Matobo Women Pop-up Event by the German Society. It is only right that CharDesignz also makes its mark on the Zimbabwe Fashion Week runway.
The penultimate showcase at the Zimbabwe Fashion Week will be Serenity by 26-year-old Precious Kasongo. The designer is already an accomplished spoken word artist and recent Media Studies graduate, but fashion remains her passion. With Serenity, she aims to enhance the wearer’s confidence and express their unique personality through their carefully curated collections
A decade after its Zimbabwe Fashion Week debut, RAAAH closes off Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2024. Having spent some time overseas, the brand’s founder Rahima Mohamed is back in Zimbabwe and ready to show the world her “debut Relocation collection,” as she put it.
