THE flash of cameras, the rustle of couture and the electric glamour of the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMAs) red carpet often belong to the nominated and the celebrated.
Yet this year, amid the swirl of celebrity arrivals at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), a different story quietly unfolded and it’s one stitched in leather.
Designer Knowledge Mukwanhi’s Life Wear creations, though not nominated, caught the curious gaze of fashion watchers and guests alike, sparking conversations about emerging talent in Zimbabwe’s fashion landscape.
Mukwanhi’s leather outfits, ranging from tailored suits and jackets to ladies’ wear, shoes and customised pieces, appeared repeatedly on models and guests milling around the venue’s lower and upper entrances.
The striking designs prompted onlookers to ask who was behind the bold aesthetics making rounds at the awards ceremony.
The attention came despite Mukwanhi being absent from the official nomination list at the NAMAs.
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During the red-carpet segment, hosted by fashionista Tafadzwa Zimoyo, a wide range of fashion pieces was showcased, though Mukwanhi’s work did not feature prominently among the curated designs as a result of an omission, which some attendees later noted.
Interest in the designs deepened as audiences gathered outside HICC to watch performances by musicians Tina Watyoka and Yambutso, who entertained guests before the main ceremony.
It was during this time that repeated sightings of the leather outfits prompted the media and guests to inquire about the designer.
Guidance came from Wilson Ndinde, who encouraged journalists to learn more about Mukwanhi’s work and its growing visibility at arts events.
A week after the ceremony, Mukwanhi invited NewsDay Life & Style to his studio in Chitungwiza, located in the suburb of Zengeza.
The modest space, a workshop-style shelter in front of a family home, reveals little at first glance.
Only when friends and models arrived wearing his designs did the creative scope of the workshop come into focus.
Among those showcasing the garments were Tafadzwa Zingwena, Victor Mangingo, Willard Ndanga, Denzel Ndanga, Dambrose Madamburo, Regis Dzvanya and Billy Gurajena.
Their outfits reflected the brand’s emphasis on bold leather tailoring and urban youth fashion.
“My leather wear designs are produced under my self-styled Life Wear label. I use different types of leather to create suits, jackets, ladies’ wear and tops,” Mukwanhi said.
He admitted that missing out on a nomination at the NAMAs was disappointing.
“I had confidence after dressing several prominent hip-hop and Zimdancehall artistes,” he said.
“But I am grateful that people noticed my work through the red-carpet photographs.”
Mukwanhi, an alumnus of Honde Technical and Vocational Training Academy, said he imported shoe soles from South Africa to produce original footwear designs alongside his clothing line.
Like many emerging designers, he faces market challenges.
“I am looking for buyers who can support my work so that I can keep improving and respond to market demand,” he said, adding that financial pressure at times forced him to sell some items at heavily negotiated prices.
Beyond individual success stories, Mukwanhi’s journey highlights a broader issue within Zimbabwe’s creative industries, the need for structured talent identification and sustained support systems.
While platforms such as the NAMAs celebrate excellence, many promising designers and artists still operate from informal studios with limited resources.
Industry stakeholders say relevant infrastructure, including training hubs, exhibition spaces, financing mechanisms and mentorship programmes, can help to transform raw talent to globally competitive creative enterprises.
For Mukwanhi, the path forward remains stitched with determination.
“Leather fashion represents confidence and ambition.
“I encourage fellow young people to avoid drugs and focus on entrepreneurship and creativity as a way to build sustainable futures.”