When we collaborate we make MAGIC.

" I am woke" - Chenesai taken at the 'Colorism' dialogue hosted by 25 May Movement.

"Collaboration is important not just because it is a better way to learn. The spirit of collaboration is penetrating every institution and all of our lives. So learning to collaborate is part of equipping yourself for effectiveness, problem-solving, innovation and life -long learning in an ever changing networked economy" -Don Tapscott

It is my deepest experience that in collaboration you go further and faster. As with everything, collaboration is a learnt art. One gets better at art by doing. A few weeks ago we posted a blog on how collaborating was part of the key elements to success (https://goo.gl/iqXCUs). This post enhances our previous post and celebrates the team we work with in our pursuit of winning collaborations.

(From right) Chenesai and Wadzanai (IG: wadzanaichiuriri). Wadzanai was the MC at the mother -daughter brunch hosted by 4CBC (where Chenesai is a co-founder) and Mustard Seed Financial Consulting.

Meet Wadzanai who is widely known as Black Pearl. She is a creative writer, spoken word artist and public relations expert. She has worked for one of Africa’s leading PR Firms, Magana Carta and now offers PR services to various entrepreneurs including Chenesai Brand. She has a background in advertising, corporate and civil society organisations and currently works as a copywriter at a local creative company. She is smart, witty and a brilliant writer whose skills are a must have for any start-up.

Kudzayi (IG: Boi_Kudzie)

Meet, Kudzayi who has been working diligently to ensure that our weekly blog posts are edited, polished and relevant. He has written for various local and international publications such as The Standard, Newsday, Harare News, This Is Africa and The Washington Post.

Taku, the woman behind Deekawzee (IG: Deekawzee)

Meet, Taku the woman behind Deekawzee, Zimbabwe's top beaded design house the produces elegant costume jewellery and other fashion accessories. I first met her at Hustlers Market and I was blown away by her fashion accessories. I even posted some of them on my Instagram. I have always wanted a brooch collection to complement the Chenesai designs and Deekawzee certainly delivered.

Brooches designed to complement Chenesai designs.(IG: deekawzee)

More Deekawzee accessories with Chenesai Designs.

(From right) Colin and Chenesai pose for a picture.

Meet Colin, a celebrated Zimbabwean designer whose design ecstatic is my paralysis. I first came across his work at the DeMoyo sip and shop and it was love at first sight. When he showcased his designs at HIFA 2013 his works had sleeves, sleeves and more sleeves. I love dramatic sleeves but because I am not a design student I don't know much about them and Colin fills that void. We are currently working together on several projects but the latest and relevant is our "Bow Down" winter collection which we are set to launch in the coming week.

Some of the designs from our Bow down collection.

Another masterpiece from our Bow down collection.

Another design for the bow down collection.

Another piece from the Bow Down collection.

Natalie (Linked In and Facebook: Facebook : Natalie Ngwenya)

Meet, Natalie is a super amazing designer who sketches fiercely. We work together in the concept creation process when I sketch designs and she perfects the concepts. Working with her is a pure joy because she always gets it right. She says she has always been attracted to colour, she has been drawing for as long as she remembers and has studied art from primary to tertiary level where she studied creative art and design at Chinhoyi University of Technology. She has a passion for fashion, photography, painting and graphics.

My initial sketch.

Another initial sketch.

Natalie's sketch and the final product

Natalie's sketch and the final design.

Brand Ambassadors are a crucial force that has pushed the Chenesai Brand thus far. We have been very fortunate to have ambassadors that believe in the Chenesai brand and have worn Chenesai designs tirelessly. CHENESAI's " conditiones sine quibus non. "

Meet, Tinashe Taneka is a Zimbabwean blogger based in Australia and she has blogged bout the Chenesai brand several times here -https://goo.gl/ZT2U9t. (IG: I_am_Tinashe)

Meet, Shingi Mangoma is a Zimbabwean musician currently based in Gweru. (IG:wamangoma)

Meet, Jesca Mukora who is a lead project analyst at Thomson Reuters in Dallas, TX. She is also the founder of Euphoria Events Planning and Management, Co- Founder of 4CBC .She is one of our ambassadors. Her line of work in events has greatly contributed to the growth of the brand.(IG: euphoriajess )

Meet, Faith is a a lawyer, a social advocate and founder of Faith's avenue and a co founder of 4CBC, a community driven initiative for active community members. She is one of the trail blazing Chenesai Brand Ambassador based in Harare. (IG: tendyfay)

As we grow the Chenesai Brand, we are excited and grateful for all the collaborative efforts we have had and look forward to many more. With each engagement lies great potential to learn, collaborate and create Magic.

"As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people's ideas are often better than your own. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life."-Amy Poehler

So, who will you collaborate with?

With love from Zim