A NEW fashion event aimed at fast‑tracking Zimbabwe’s emerging creative talent will make its debut on October 4, organisers of Thrift & Threads announced this week.
Curated by Mcheno and More as the online platform marks its third anniversary, Thrift & Threads is billed as a bi‑monthly showcase that moves the spotlight from the screen to live stages and market stalls.
In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style, event director Kingstone Zimunya revealed that Mcheno and More was created for creatives in fashion and art to document Zimbabwean youth culture.
“Thrift & Threads aims to elevate the careers of emerging creatives in fashion, music and art,” he said.
The inaugural edition carries a Retro theme, inviting guests to take inspiration from styles spanning the 1960s to the 2010s.
The event will feature a runway with four brands, three homegrown stall‑based labels and three curated thrift retailers.
There will also be a dedicated Retro Room, complete with a photo booth, free snacks and printed keepsake photos.
The event involves more than 50 creatives across fashion, music, modelling and craft.
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Attendees will also have the chance to win a surprise prize in a raffle at the close of the night.
Sustainability and inclusion are central to the concept.
The thrift retailers selected for the event were chosen for redefining second‑hand shopping by offering cleaned, authenticated designer pieces and curated looks rather than the disorder often associated with bhero markets.
“We hope to spark conversations around sustainability in fashion, spotlight emerging fashion designers and retailers, while also providing a platform for young creatives to network,” Zimunya said.
Organisers stressed that the event fills a gap in the local industry where most fashion platforms favour established names.
Their selection criteria distinguish established brands, typically five years or more in the industry with consistent production, clear identity and runway exposure including emerging designers who often possess strong creative talent but lack branding, production know‑how and market access.
Thrift & Threads aims to provide those missing elements and a launchpad for careers, Zimunya said.
Music programming will also tilt away from the mainstream.
Performers were selected for alternative and evolving sounds not regularly platformed by commercial radio and the show will open with a traditional musical performance that organisers pledge to make a tradition.
“Inasmuch as we are building the future, we believe an appreciation of the past is essential,” Zimunya added.
Targeting primarily 18 to 23-year-olds, the organisers describe Thrift & Threads as a youth‑centred creative meet‑up for designers, stylists, DJs, models, photographers and content creators.
Long‑term plans include expanding the format to other Zimbabwean cities and working with participating retailers and designers beyond the event to help build sustainable income streams and shift public perception about thrifted and homegrown fashion.
