Zim fashion designer up for top Vogue award

UK-BASED Zimbabwean fashion accessory designer, Pamela Samasuwo-Nyawiri, has been nominated for the prestigious Vogue and Muuse Talents Young Vision Accessories Award for ‘The Best Emerging International Fashion Accessories Designer’.
The award recognises the most influential emerging designers in fashion today and celebrates the reputation and development of fashion worldwide.
Pam is the first African to ever go through the nomination process for this award, and has whizzed through 10,000 potential accessory designers to be among the remaining 180 for the 2014 award.
Commenting on the nomination, Pam said she was humbled by the support she has received, adding that her main goal was to elevate the status of the African Fashion Industry.
She said while Africa continued to be used as inspiration by the West, it was still not taken seriously as a credible industry and that it was very frustrating to note that anything to do with fashion in Africa was credited to only a few African countries.
Pam highlighted that an opportunity like this spoke volumes on the potential of Zimbabwe and its ability to produce internationally recognised designers.
Her featured handbags are inspired by colonial theories (Victorian aristocrat meets Tribal), and Sleep Paralysis (Matsimbirira).
On her design aesthetic, Pam said she was inspired by the African way of life, and was interested in working with different materials.
“People often question why I don’t use African print in my designs. I think Africa can be represented in so many beautiful ways, using different materials. Africa is not about the print, it is how you story tell as a designer,” she said.
The first phase of the contest is a public vote to select just 50 finalists. The 50 designers with the most votes will be presented to Vogue Senior Fashion Editor and Vogue Talents Editors will select the final winner. The deadline for voting is February 17th 2014 at 12 noon GMT.
A further 10 finalists will also be entered in a final round of voting to find the people’s choice winner, and this takes place on Vogue from February 26th to March 5th 2014.
Nominations for this award are made by key opinion formers within the fashion industry and the award seeks to recognise an individual who embodies the spirit of “fashion forward” and is an international ambassador.

Pamela Nyawiri

Zim’s Fashion Boom

FASHION is a word that elicits images of flashing lights, a luxurious world of glamour, and often-provocative takes on style. Its influence pervades over not only what we wear, but also what we carry, how we style our hair and make-up and, most importantly, how we spend on these exploits. 
The world looks towards the fashion capitals – London, Paris, Milan and New York – for haute inspiration and the latest trends. However, in more and more cities around the world, fashion creatives are taking  over their own runways and expanding an industry known for being historically elitist. Some like Sydney are two short years away from the second decade of their Fashion Week. At home we are sashaying in the same direction with a Fashion Week that is in its third year, and is pioneering a platform for local design. 
However, the true test of fashion is whether consumers are willing to cash in.  Locally, it is impossible to ignore the surge in boutiques and fashion emporiums, offering fashion for every pocket and nearly every taste. What interests me is what is behind this seemingly booming fashion industry and are we really buying it?

What’s in the Fashion Industry in Zimbabwe?

 A question can be asked 'what composites the Fashion Industry in Zimbabwe' whilst in comparison to an international scale such as South Africa. when we look at the clothing part of the industry within itself. Yes, a lot of events have been growing in Harare as off recent which gives our local designers a greater platform to expose themselves and their talent. Talks of the Fashion Industry are not new to the ears of the Zimbabweans.

But now the attention switches to the actual fashion and clothing part within itself; how is fashion illuminated by young people such as myself. My trick to my fashion and personal style is mixing and matching; I’m a guy stuck between Edgars, Jet and Wardrobe Mix stores with regular trips to the Unit Village flea market . I will not lie that creating and coming up with own design is the most difficult thing.

Recently I have discovered “kumabhero” (bales) and I was absolutely stunned at how second hand pieces of clothing (and I must say in good quality condition) are sold at these open markets for 90% of the cut off price compared to traditional clothing retailers (i.e. Jet and Edgars as mentioned above). Blouses here go for US$1.00- 2.00, jackets for about US$4.00 whilst a second hand pair of jeans fetch for about US$4.00-8.00. Does this however contradict with our own clothing in our own stores?

Then there is our booming luxury fashion boutiques in Bulawayo. Luxury at its best because some of the clothes sold here are actually quite good, with European, South-African and American labels but out of reach for most fashion lovers, if not many. A blouse here can be anywhere from US$35- US$70, now contrast that with a European blouse purchased from kumabhero for 99% fraction of the price; which in most cases has only been worn once and then shipped to Africa. Furthermore, I ask you to make a contradiction here.

Then we have our growing local fashion designers who are home-grown and proudly Zimbabwean. They represent that part of the industry which encompasses a small sector of individuals with raw talent that create their vision into a garment. Some of our local designers include our affectionately known Zuvva by Joyce Chimanye; who has an upmarket but with a retro feel infused, African spirit boutique in Harare’s Sam Levy Village. Other self-made designers include Maita Marimo, Sabina Mutsvati, Colin Ratisai and Goddess (bear in mind that this list does go on) with our young, up and coming designers such as 7.30 Apparel, Rungano Rwedu, Znzorzi Adby, Nhembe Aleth, Black Excellence.

What’s further interesting to note is that our self-made designers are more recognised on an international scale with international fashion events such as South Africa’s annual Mercedes Benz Africa Fashion Week where Zuvva have showcased their collection and Maita Marimo at Nolcha Fashion Week 2013 in New York City. Why is it that foreign markets have a better appreciation of our fashion, more so than our own people?

So I go back to the question that is what is our Fashion Industry in Zimbabwe? Do our fashion lovers take the aspect of Fashion seriously or is it a measure to just keep up with the latest trends? And furthermore, as an individual what are you doing to better our Zimbabwean Fashion Industry? Are we promoting our industry or is it a means to an end?

From my own observation, a lot of young people have resorted to purchasing clothes cheaper and faster which has resulted in quantity rather than quality. This has gone insofar as our fellow Zimbabweans trekking across the border to buy clothes in Polokwane or Messina in South-Africa, whilst shunning what’s back at home. What then happens to our local designers?

What will it take for our industry to shine? I remember a friend of mine who works in Edgars corner First street and Jason Moyo said to me that a lot of retailers have argued that strict import taxes should be introduced on cheap clothing flooding the country as well as European labels so as to boost the clothing industry within Zimbabwe. Furthermore going back kumabhero, a lot of young women (and yes fashion consciousness gentlemen) have resorted to buying second hand clothing in the open market. With just US$10.00, you can buy 10 different pieces of clothing; all it requires is your bargaining power and to know the value of your dollar.

Zims Awaits coming Spring fair

Every year the first Sunday of October brings one of Harare’s most popular events; The St John’s fair, also known as the spring fair. The smouldering heat is no deterrent to the scores of people who show up year after year to walk the sports field of St John’s College going from stall to stall to see what the vendors have to offer.
As a fashion/grooming columnist, I was looking at more than just the stalls, I was observing the Zimbabwean, Harare’s in particular, interpretation of the spring/summer fashion.
Here are my observations:
Colour blocking: It is still hot here though it seems to be fading out gradually, internationally. A lot of the stalls that sold clothes had skinny jeans in a variety of the colour-blocking favourites —royal blue, orange, red, emerald green and yellow.
Unfortunately, it seems the vendors have one supplier, so chances are high of seeing several people wearing the same pants as you.  Then again, it is really about how you wear yours and make them your own thing.
Vintage: Zimbabwe is getting the hang of vintage clothes, thanks to the second-hand clothes vendors. They sell clothes that were sent to Africa by European or American well-wishers. The clothes are usually sent to Mozambique where the vendors buy them and bring them back here for resale.
The clothes would normally be in good condition and of good quality as well. They are significantly more affordable than most clothes; you just need to have a good eye when looking for the item for you.
The vintage stall at the fair was overpriced because if you have a private supplier or if you were to go down town, the price would be  much better.
The one thing I like about vintage is that it is never dated. Vintage stores will never go out of business. Vintage is timeless, classic and elegant.
Shorts: Would it be summer without shorts? Short shorts were in abundance, most of them worn tastefully by that I mean without butt cheeks peeking out from the bottom of the shorts.
I would have thought that shorts would be the cooler option because jeans in that heat can be unbearable. One guy that stood out for me wore a tangerine striped polo shirt with rolled up sleeves, white linen pants and a straw fedora. He took the road less travelled without looking like he went all out.
Dresses: The maxi dress was not as popular as I had expected it to be. There was the odd one here and there. Short dresses were the more popular choice.
Skirts: There were a lot of maxi skirts worn with tank tops, accessorised with belts and necklaces.
One garment in particular caught my attention; it was a pleated pistachio green maxi skirt, worn with a white tank top, a brown belt and a straw trilby. The lady that wore it was the unrivalled fashionista of the day. It was simple yet so very stylish. It looked effortless. Kudos to her.
Hats: Sadly, I did not see that many. I hope people remembered to wear sunscreen. I had no hat on but I brought my umbrella with me. Our sun is too harsh to be walking about unprotected. The straw trilbies and floppy hats were a favourite among the few that wore them.
White: It is said that white keeps you cool, but I did not see enough of it. I wore white shorts so I was one of the few that wore that spring/summer colour.
We are still safe, not too daring, when putting together our wardrobe ensembles better, but we do have a sense of style in comparison to a few years ago.
Back then, trends took too long to come to Zimbabwe, so if you did not travel to do your shopping your style would be outdated and not in a chic vintage kind of way. Thankfully, we have suppliers that travel to bring in stuff. If only they would not purchase from the same shops.

A look at winter

Summer is in full force and with it comes a slew of hot trends to usher in our longest and most wardrobe friendly season, which will encompass all styles and tastes oscillating from the demure, to a sophisticated take on 90s grunge, and everything in between. As local designers raise awareness of their brands through Fashion Weeks, and the curating of their brands on digital platforms, they are also successfully plugging in and staying up to date with what is hot on the international fashion barometer. This means that this season we do not have to venture very far to stay in style.

 The trends are right on our doorsteps and have been interpreted with a wearable and irresistibly original flair.This season the sharp shade is both fresh and chic as seen internationally at Givenchy where we saw a rather masculine take on white, with no embellishment or frills.Sleek shirt and trouser combinations were made softer in light, sheer materials at Stella McCartney, and simple, sporty dresses at Chloe French brand Celine followed suit with the minimal trend but also gave us all black looks and used silks and satin for a touch of glamour.

 Bold by Estelle Mantle, who sent out some strong simple silhouettes in sophisticated black, echoed this on the local runway. Fashion is a game of contrasts and on the other end of this minimalist trend, the girl in the crop top and low jeans of past seasons has grown up and embraced the classic sentiment of femininity. As the opening show at the most recent Zimbabwe Fashion Week, House of Kiki M’s utterly feminine take on the trend, appealed, as did Endexus, who presented a ladylike vision in soft pastels and sheer sleeves, complete with the perfect headpiece as an accessory. I can see the look on the most stylish but always appropriate British royal, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.Designer K7 played with graphic black and white for a bold, high-impact print on his runway. Caileigh Colleen’s Zim Fashion Week catwalk was flush with rose bud applications on dreamy dresses, while Czeerat toned it down pairing neutrals with pretty floral print shorts. Caileigh’s collection also included bright shots of colour like fuchsia and lime green that are perfect for the return of summer’s block bright. However, this is not the reawakening of the colour blocking trend!This season colours are not to be mixed and clashed.Rather go monotone with one colour throughout your outfit. The colours this season are yellow, electric blue, turquoise and hot pink, as seen at Gucci.Burberry took a chance by showing block colours in high-techmetallic finishes. Locally, Znzorzi Adbyshined showed his interpretation of how to go metallic using high-gloss materials in easy to wear cuts and shapes.The last trend, prints, is more of a lifestyle than a novelty for us on the continent, but what makes the difference this summer is how designers are playing with these fabrics. At Afrikanus prints were placed on clothing in panels giving a very refreshing, and modern take on using them, and designer Tinashe Madamombe of Azariah describes her playful take on print saying, “Prints are a fun, vibrant and refreshing way to create the unique designs that define my brand.”With so many fun directions to take this summer your wardrobe will be cool and fresh all season long.

Culture

For a while I thought setting a fashion trend in a country like Zimbabwe was easy…it’s not. Setting a trend requires innovation and taste. The question is how does a thing become the in thing. Who approves trends? Who decides?

Zimbabwe has seen the jelly pumps, colour blocking, Rihanna hairstyle, skinny jeans as top trends that caught on like wildfire in the past few years. The challenge with Zim Fashion trends is that nobody is daring enough to be the ultimate trendsetter. Everybody is following trends some of which are outdated or too popular. On the international scene tastemakers who set the trends already know what you will be wearing in 2015. Their trend forecast is always 2 years ahead of Zimbabwe, literally.

Thank’s to Ftv and fashion magazines some of us are not always left behind. The process of introducing trends all the way from Milan’s haute couture runway to the high street fashion of Harare through the whole supply chain is very long. Who has patience for that? This is when you find a typical Zim fashionista ordering straight from the European countries or getting the style custom made locally.

To spot trends one should look at the colour, cut, textile and length of a garment. The secret to keeping up with trends is looking at glossies, fashion shows, blogs and fashion related television programmes. That is where all the fresh trends are born. To stay on top of the game always get in with the new and out with the old. That is the trend rule . Nonetheless, if you are or want to be a true trendsetter none of this should matter because you are an innovator. You do the opposite. You DON’T follow trends and the streets are your runway.

Battle for Supremacy

The Bulawayo teens awaits a battle of their two fashion idols as two most influential artist showcase at Hartsfield ground. Winky D together with South African artist Casper Nyovest will dress infront of masses on the 24th of April on what promises to be a not miss night.

These two personalities are quite influencial in teens when it comes to dressing with their music favourable in their eyes. Winky D have become popular most in Mashonaland with his music winning the hearts of many mainly youths. On the other hand, Nyovest influential in Bulawayo would love the reception he will get as he matches to the stage. This is his first time here in Bulawayo and teens will love to meet their idol.

It will require $5 for one to be at that mouth watering encounter.

Nyovest

Winky D

Meet Eunice Nyakonda, talented Zimbabwe Fashion Designer

Eunice Nyakonda

Fashion Designer at Unique Euni

Zimbabwe

Textiles

Current	Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, Unique Euni
Previous	ministry of economic planing and investment promotion
Education	Nyakonda Homested

Send Eunice InMail

• https://zw.linkedin.com/pub/eunice-nyakonda/24/966/108

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Background

Experience

Internal Auditor

Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs

January 2010 – Present (5 years 4 months)

Fashion Designer

Unique Euni

January 1990 – Present (25 years 4 months)

student attachee

ministry of economic planing and investment promotion

2007 – 2007 (less than a year)

Skills

Top Skills

• 2Target Costing
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• 2Forecasting
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• 2Textiles
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• 1Accounting
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• 1Financial Reporting
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• 1Accounts Payable
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• 1Accounts Receivable
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• Financial Accounting
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• Microsoft Excel
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• Auditing
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Eunice also knows about...

• Internal Controls
• Financial Audits
• Microsoft Office
• IFRS
• Budgets
• Account Reconciliation
• Financial Analysis
• Microsoft Word
• General Ledger
• Retail

Education

Nyakonda Homested

How to face winter as men

red winter jacket

a grey winter jacket

With winter around the corner, some men could be wondering how they are to dress. Winter is quite a challenging time in terms of what to wear. Those who work colar jobs find in difficult to chose what to wear. Most suits are not good enough for winter colds. Get yourself nice jackets  that will allow you to wera your formal dressing inside and look good. You will then need your trouser and shoes as usually

Winter dressing tips for ladies

sample dressing@teesayie

With winter coming ahead, you would not want to get cold and get sick, at the same time you will want to appear smart. For ladies you will need boots that will keep you warm because cold penetrate through the feet, preferable black boots because they match every dress. You will then need black goos or leg-ins to protect you legs. after that one can wear a long or a short dress depending on the preference. At the top, one will need a light jersey or a sweater then wear something classy like a leather jacket to appear stunning. One will also need a wool hat and glooves preferable black colour.

Mini skirt war continues

The war on miniskirts in Zimbabwe appears to be a won battle after vice president Mnangagwa publicly advocated for the wearing of such. His remarks followed the series arrests of touts who stripped a woman at Harare CBD. In his speech he cited the wearing of miniskirts as constitutional right to be respected.

“Some of us, including [Zanu PF Mashonaland East acting provincial chairperson and traditional historian Aeneas] Chigwedere, who were there around 1918 [know that] women used to wear nhembe, but no one protested. The men would put on madhumbu and no one protested. Then came the whites with clothes that covered the whole body,” Mnangagwa said. “If a woman parades herself in a miniskirt, leave her, that is what she wants.”

He added: “We went to war for freedom, fighting so that all people would be free. So the new Constitution speaks of freedom of choice and freedom of expression. What matters are her morals, not dressing, it is her right.”

It is yet to be seen whether the touts backed by the community at large particularly elders who condemn the wearing of mini skirts will continue their attack on women but clearly mini skirts seem to prevail.

visit http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zimsit-m-mnangagwa-defends-miniskirts-newsday-zimbabwe for vp`s speech.

Dressing battle

Msawawa

 

                                                 

Casper Nyovest

The teens in Zimbabwe particularly in Bulawayo have been involved in some what battle. This kind of war has to do with dressing or fashion per se. Due to evolving dressing patterns it yet to be seen which one prevails.

Two fronts of dressing have been born. There is traditional Panisular dressing adopted from South Africa usually associated with Kwaito artist like Msawawa, battling with Isibhujwa which has spouted. The later is disregarded by the allies of the former who attribute the dressing culture to homosexuality. The later was adopted from SA as well from artist like Casper Nyovest who has won the hearts of many teens. It is yet to be seen whether the later is to substitute the other justlike what usually happens when it comes to dressing.

Fashion recycling

A look at 1970s kids dressed to impress

 

 

When one take a look at the dressing today,some of the things deemed hot today had been there before. Fashion recycles in a circle. Nothing is introduced as total new thing but an addition of what we have seen before. The same goes with all aspects of fashion

The right to express yourself vs morality in Zimbabwe

some of women wearing miniskirtshttps://www.google.com/search?q=popular+miniskirts

 Women particularly the youth are known admirers of fashion. They like to dress a type of dressing that goes with time. Mini skirts nowadays are part of what women prefer in terms of dressing. Most of the dresses targeted at young girls to day are short. That is what is popular to them nowadays however Zimbabwean women face a difficult in doing so. There is a lot of opposition from the society to an extent that some of the women wearing mini skirts have been victimized by kombi touts who are backed by the society at large. Some have been stripped in front of people particularly at Egodini Bus Terminus. For elderly people this as seen as justice to morality but for the young women it is seen as oppression. That is how fashion has brought about discourse in Zimbabwe as the right to express yourself can be alluded to immorality to some people especially adults.

How celebs influence the choice of hair style in teens

Usher

When we look at fashion, hair cut style is one of them. over the years hairs cuts have revolved in Zimbabwe with one seen as hot today, the same can not be said tomorrow. The teens mostly are confused in this matter because one moment they hate this hair cut style the other moment they like it. An example is the fade hair cut which has became popular around the teens. The main inspiration behind this hairstyle are celebrities like Usher Raymond who had adopted such. Teens has followed suit. This hair cut was condemned few years back and was termed 'bibho' and usually characterized with people in the rural areas but now it has rose to be a popular thing.