LOCAL fashion designers have applauded organisers of the annual country’s prestigious horse racing event, the Castle Tankard for providing them with the platform to showcase a range of their designs on Saturday at Borrowdale Race Course.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
This year’s 56th edition of the event saw designers, among them former local urban grooves group member Mafriq Tunga Mavi, Chitungwiza-based fashion designer Tarisai Gweje, John Tendai Mazhinye, Maxwell Pio of Maxmba fashions and Catharine Hwata, unveiling some of their latest designs such as the African print.
Speaking to NewsDay on the side-lines of the fashion show, Jay Tee (real name John Tendai Mazhinye) of Saints Of God (SoG) Clothing label said he felt honoured to showcase his range of designs at the event, proving that his works were being appreciated despite being a Christian clothing line.
“It was an honour to showcase my designs at such a big event. The Castle Tankard gave me the opportunity to unveil a range of my latest designs like the Men of Success designs, which is a combination of plain fabric and African print material and the female version of the same designs termed the WOS design-Women of Success,” Jay-Tee said.
Gweje of Chaivo label said her participation at the event gave her the opportunity to show the public her talent in the fashion industry which she said is underrated.
“Fashion designers we are not considered as artists and very few opportunities are there for us to showcase our talent to the public. Castle Tankard event was a right platform for me to show the public the art of fashion that we have in Zimbabwe,” she said.
The fashion show, held under the theme Rocking the African Print also featured models from agencies such as Top Model, Voila and Size4, was coordinated by stylist and founder of Size4 modelling agency Wilbert Rukato.
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Organisers of the event, Delta Beverages marketing manager, Patricia Murambinda said they were happy that Zimbabweans were now embracing the fashion trends that were associated with most horse race events around the world.
“Most horse race events in the world have fashion segments that have made them colourful and that is exactly what we want our event to be like. Although we not yet there, local people are appreciating the idea as witnessed by the type of dressing by many people today (Saturday),” Murambinda said.
“The fashion show theme Rocking the African Print, was in appreciation of the African print that has made it into an everyday ready to wear designs after decades of being strictly relegated to the runway. The African print has made inroads to become an essential piece of today’s dress code in a modern design appealing to everyone becoming a distinguishing mark of many personalities and fashionistas.”
Apart from the horse race extravaganza and fashion show, music enthusiasts were treated to top-notch performances by Ex-Q, Winky D and Jah Prayzah who set the venue ablaze with their splendid performances at the after-party.
The Disappear, Mazirudo and Kumbumura Mhute hitmakers were a marvel to watch during their separate sets. They proved to many that they were serious performers and matched the prestigious atmosphere of the event.
