United States-based Zimbabwean fashion designer Farai Simoyi will feature at this year’s Zimbabwe Fashion Showcase to be held in United Kingdom.
The event will be held from July 28 to 30 with a series of fashion workshops running under the theme “Redefinition”. The event is a much anticipated fashion extravaganza among the African community in the Diaspora. Simoyi who made headlines as Nicki Minaj’s head designer will be joined by Le Ekhaya and Von R among others during the show.
In an interview with Zimbabwe Fashion Showcase (ZFS) managing director Chiedza Dawn Ziyambe said preparations are at advanced stage.
“The tickets are already selling both online and at our designated points.
“The event will see fashion buyers, boutique owners, fashion designers, stylists, models, make-up artists, photographers, fashion lovers — basically anyone and everyone in the fashion and beauty industry at Birmingham’s biggest Afrocentric fashion networking and exchanging ideas,” she said.
This year the Zimbabwe Fashion Showcase is themed “Redefinition” and will focus on 5 designers — Tsitsi Fred, Tapiwa Kenenge-Dingwiza, Rahima Mohamed, Tsitsi Sibanda and Kuda Matiza.
She said their fashion concepts range from a collection with clouds and textures which aim to break the boundaries of a neurotypical culture and raise a neuro-developmental awareness to the society, to a collection inspired by African and Asian colours and fabrics.
She said the show is a fashion platform based in the United Kingdom, which serves the purpose of showcasing designers who are of Zimbabwean descent and is open to Zimbabweans across the globe.
“This (ZFS) platform was launched last year with the first showcase held in Birmingham. We attracted acclaimed and award-winning designers such as American-based Simoyi.
“We are proud of the fact that our first showcase was a success and was featured in various international media platforms,” she said.
Ziyambe said this year, the event will be held at the Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham.
“The three-day show has been grouped with runway shows only held for two days only.
“We will have a session with fashion bloggers, media, and best emerging designers where they will network, discussing fashion related issue how best we can develop the industry. For the first day it is strictly by invite only,” she said.
She said the shows will be hosted by Kevin Ncube, Nyasha Michelle and Martina Moh.
-Nehanda Radio
