"Wear Local Campaign"

It is not a secret that Zimbabwe's fashion Industry is in a precarious position like many other industries struggling to thrive in this economy. MOST people want to attribute this to "dumping" practices exercised by "some" countries with vibrant fashion industries. As a student of trade, the assertion of "dumping" is an allegation - a myth needing to be busted (but not in this post!!!). My observation is that there are other factors which are divorced from the allegation of "dumping". Some of these key reasons are the lack of disposable income, general poor local quality products produced locally, lack of trust in local designers and a lively textile industry to support the fashion sector despite Zimbabwe still producing a great deal of cotton.

In an effort to reform our fashion and textile industry Chenesai Brand has the pleasure of staging an intervention by curating the first ever 'Wear Local Campaign' fashion show. The show is in collaboration with the organisers of the Ambassador's Cup Polo match this coming Saturday (1 July) at Bushman Rock where the fashion show will also take place.

The campaign aims at showcasing the work of local designers in a bid to engage and gain the much-needed trust from the Zimbabwean community. Showcasing world-class garments and accessories might just be what may win over a local market. The campaign is one of many to come.

So meet the designers that you should expect to see at the POLO

Thabile

Thabile Logo

Thabile founder Samantha Sithabile Sigauke

Thabile is a fashion and art design brand founded by Samantha Sithabile Sigauke who gets her inspiration from her mother and late grandmother who are/were both craftswomen and entrepreneurs. Samantha's passion for fashion can be traced to the early stages of her life where her first design was her prom dress. This was her revelation that she would end up creating something so big it would outlive her, a goal she keeps pushing towards and praying for.

#THABILE products seek to bring out the inner God given beauty, confidence and radiance she finds in her clients.

Deekawzee

Dee-Kaw-Zee Logo

Taku, the founder of Dee-Kaw-Zee

Dee-Kaw-Zee is a company that prides itself in making handmade jewellery and fashion accessories. The name Dee-Kaw-Zee is a play on the Shona word "Madhikauzi" meaning earrings. Dee-Kaw-Zee products are made from beads, metal, wood, fabric, wool, bone, cardboard, safety pins and any material we can find that inspires our creativity. The material used for the accessories is sourced from around the world where they find elements that ignite their creativity and endeavour to capture those elements in their accessories. While the handmade pieces are unique the selling point is it is rare they repeat the same pieces of accessories. If there is one brand that understands the true worth of unique and individuality is Dee-Kaw-Zee.

Patch

PatCh Logo

Chipo, the co founder of PatCh Maoko e-Zimbabwe

PatCh Maoko e-Zimbabwe is a Zimbabwean based company- host to a collection of uniquely handcrafted fashion accessories made mainly from hessian sack fabric and inspired by global, evolving fashion trends. They take pride in evolving "rags to riches" using the environmentally friendly fabric - hessian which is known by many as a tough natural fibre and used in the shipping, construction and agricultural industries. The hand-dyed Hessian is hand stitched to the finest detail in unison with pieces of ethnic and/or locally hand printed fabrics to make high-quality luxury handbags. The bags are accessorised with their statement beaded tassel. The major part of the production of their products is handmade, as they strive to maintain sustainable practices and provide employment. PatCH implies joining pieces together and their products are made by Zimbabwean women hence the imprint ‘Maoko e-Zimbabwe’ loosely translated to the hands of Zimbabwe. The imprint on their products recognises the importance of the women in the Zimbabwean society. PatCH is also an acronym of Patricia and Chido who are the founders of the brand.

Kosh

Kosh Logo

Kosh looks to create an African identity by a new generation of African designers who use various methods and materials to make pieces of art on clothes and other wearables. Kosh emphasises on comfort and durability in their designs. They are avid believers that what one chooses to wear reveals a great deal of themselves hence they African designers are best equipped with the task of dressing their fellow countrymen.

Petreace

Petreace Logo

Petreace Designs founder Petreace Muzerengwa.

Petreace Muzerengwa is a young entrepreneur and an artist who believes that sustainability is the best solution to save our planet from harsh effects of global warming. She is the owner of a sustainable company called Petreace designs, which produces high-quality designer clothing and accessories for men, women and children. Her designs are largely inspired by nature, most of her products are made from recycled products and natural fabric.

Colin

Colin

Colin is a celebrated Zimbabwean designer whose trendsetting designs always capture flamboyance. Colin is knee deep in promoting local content as seen from his robust Zimbabwean celebrity client list.

Attention to Detail

Tarisai Nhandara

Attention to Detail is Tarisai Nhandara's brain child. His brand is all about expression and personality extension through fashion. It's a luxury brand which caters for those who wish to indulge creative and African couture.

Chenesai

Chenesai Logo

Noreen Chenesai, the founder of Chenesai designs.

Chenesai brand founded by Noreen Chenesai is a Zimbabwean based fashion house aimed at recovering, revealing and celebrating that which has sustained the African woman over the centuries.

The word CHENESAI is an ambiguous Shona word capable of several translations which include 'to make clean' , 'to bring light' or 'to clarify'. All these meanings are attributable to Chenesai and her brand. Having been given this name at birth by her parents, Chenesai is certain that she is living her destiny by pursuing her passion (the passionpreneur) in fashion and design.

CHENESAI prides herself in designing for Africa in that her pieces are versatile what she terms "economic style" as part of sustainable styling.

CHENESAI's global appreciation of style and design ensures that her designs, with her signature black and white fused with African print fabric, are contemporary and complimentary to the world over.

CHENESAI is working with local textile designers to create signature prints for CHENESAI brand to produce 100 %made in Zimbabwe products! You were born for such a time, thank you for allowing Chenesai to contribute to your meaningful and sustainable fashion statement!

Thank you for supporting local!!! See you at POLO or you will see the POLO through our pictures.

When we collaborate we make Magic.

With love, from Zim

When we collaborate we make MAGIC.