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.