THE second edition of the Zimbabwe Fashion Week, which has been ranked the fourth best fashion show in Africa, held in Harare last week, lived up to its billing exhibiting glitz and glamour.
The four-day fashion jamboree attracted fashion critiques and top Government officials who witnessed designers showcasing their craftsmanship.
Running under the theme, ‘Afrocentrica’, a total of 37 designers, exhibited African inspired apparels.
The show was made up of six international and 31 local designers.
The opening night saw young designers showcasing designs described by founder and chairperson of the Zimbabwe Fashion Week, Priscilla Chigariro as ‘unbelievably breath-taking’.
“It was an honour to witness such amazing designs from these young designers,” she said.
“It was more than we anticipated because the exhibitions were mind blowing, fresh and exciting.”From Thursday to Saturday the runway was a nonstop hive of activity as an assortment of designs were flaunted by local and international models.
Organisation, staging and lighting were exquisite highlighting that organisers have come of age.
The show was capped by a sweet yet haunting and heart-wrenching performance delivered by the warm-toned voices of the well-travelled Afrofusion music outfit Mokoomba.
Local RnB group MMT also performed their classic, ‘Viva bhebhi’, a song that put the female models in their groove.
The awards ceremony was not bad either.
The event saw several people walk away with gongs in different categories.
Ameera Murad Ameer shrugged off competition from Melissa Mazingi, Beryl Kanyowa and Tendai Toscie to be crowned Blogger of the Year.
Michelle Fortman was adjudged Photographer of the Year ahead of Tinashe Njagu, Donald Chipumha, Davina Jogi and Ngoni Chinhara.
The Male Model of the Year award went to Namibian Mervin Uahupirapi whose strutting was more impressive than that of Adrian Green, Fusher Masango and Arnold Masango.
Jordyn Miller clinched the Female Model of the Year to the disappointment of Binglin Tao, Thsiamo Sekolo and Lauren Macintosh.
The glorious Style Icon of the Year award went to Craig Zoowie, who faced stiff competition from Znzorzi Adby, Gilmore Tee and Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa.Accessories Designer of the Year went to Ndau Collection,while Natsai Mujuru landed the Young Designer of the Year award and Kuda Chihungwa emerged Emerging Designer of the Year.
Designer of the Year Award went to Ishmael Tsakatsa. Zimbabwe Fashion Week has been ranked among the top five in Africa after shows such as South Africa’s Mercedes Fashion Week.
Fashion organisation, Africa Fashion Week New York, described Africa fashion shows as having become ‘distinct, amazing and world class’ and more broad compared to other international shows.
“The continent of Africa is a fashion hub of distinct apparel and design. “Its designers are not limited to what the world expects African design to look like, and they never cease to amaze.
“Some of these designers have partaken in some of Africa’s finest fashion displays, and we’re going to throw a few that you should always keep an eye on.”