ORGANISERS of the annual Zimbabwe Fashion Week (ZFW) slated for September 25-28 at Harare City Library have bemoaned the lack of appreciation of local designs by Zimbabweans.
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Speaking to NewsDay, on the sidelines of a media briefing yesterday, ZFW founder and executive director Priscilla Chigariro said locals should appreciate local talent.
“The lack of appreciation of local designs has forced us to export our products to neighbouring countries where they are being appreciated,” Chigariro said.
She said it was disheartening to see Zimbabweans stampeding to buy the same designs that they would have exported.
Chigariro also bemoaned the lack of sponsorship that she said was hampering fashion projects.
“With the ZFW, our aim is to empower and expose untapped talent to the world, especially those who may not afford to enrol at a fashion school. However, the issue of sponsorship has been a major challenge for us,” she said.
Chigariro said this year’s edition, which is the fifth, has undergone intensive revamping with a number of changes having been put in place.
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“Currently we have 10 aspiring designers selected from applicants across the country who are undergoing training workshops at which top professionals in the areas of sketching, collection design, pattern making, sewing, garment embellishments and finishing are sharing their expertise with them,” she said.
“The top five of the 10 young designers will be awarded a show slot to showcase their designs during the fashion week.”
Chigariro said four designers from Zambia, South Africa and Angola would grace the show to be held under the theme Afrocentrica at Harare City Library.
Meanwhile, apart from the fashion show, the organisers have lined up a star-studded array of performers headlined by local multiple award-winning Afro-fusion group Mokoomba to entertainment guests.
This year’s edition is being supported by among other sponsors, Mahindra and South African Airways, 263 Africa, Group of Creatives, Mapp Africa, Fleek Makeup, and Maestro Restro Lounge & Bar.
In April ZFW was ranked among the top five African fashion shows by the prestigious Africa Fashion Week, New York.
