From the mind to the paper; from the paper to the cutting board;from there,the ramp and then the closet,is that what we are seeing in our fashion industry here in Bulawayo? House of Mutu,Shuku & Accessories,Shadow by Sdumiso, Mthungameli Designs, Tribes,Barkhar etc are some of Bulawayo’s outstanding brands that have showcased their talents on the ramp, but how popular are they? What trends have they set in the ever changing world of fashion?
“Bulawayo citizens are not very quick to receive international trends and it makes it difficult to introduce fashion trends that they don’t understand. People only get comfortable after seeing someone wearing a trend and after judging it. Ignorance among people about fashion slows us down and people need to be more educated about fashion”,says Tsitsi Elizabeth of Shuku and Accessories who is now based in Cape Town South Africa.
Showcasing is vital but does it educate the people enough and what becomes of those who do not attend fashion shows? Yes,it is vital to showcase but the pieces that are being displayed by most of Bulawayo’s designers are cheap quality that are not trendy enough to be caught dead wearing in the streets.
Fashion show after fashion show,cheap tasteless fashion is being displayed by upcoming designers.It is very clear that creativity, skill,passion,persistence and finances are lacking.”Saving up and thorough research before showcasing your work plays a major role in bringing up the best pieces “,says Tsitsi.
House of Shuku also specialises in jewelry and head gear designs
Fashion shows help designers to get more recognition besides the mixing and mingling with other designers.Recognition and popularity is low due to lack of entrepreneurship skills that will help them to market themselves so that not only their spheres of influence are not limited.
Nkosilathi of House of Mutu says”Some designers I have worked with and seen are very passionate about their work and we want to be recognized as fashion designers not tailors.People categorise us as tailors and we are not being appreciated despite the work we put into our talents”.
Despite the fact that the clothing and fashion industry has been taken over by the affordable South African clothes;the cheap quality Chinese clothes and the cheap second hand clothes from Mozambique, Bulawayo has a copy cat syndrome and majority of designers specialise in the same African clothes made from the popular Java,Kente and Kitenge fabrics which makes a lot of people shy away from designers and wearing clothes that look like a uniform.
A different approach and style is really needed for a variety of styles and trends for people to be for choice and choose locally made clothes.Fashion is a business and it is not only the know how of sewing or drawing that will make designers powerhouse names.Financial aspects play a key role and also creativity,consistency, passion,entrepreneurship skills ,niche market,good quality fabric and modern machinery too.
Nkosilathi is currently working on a new clothing line themed Ghetto Superstar and will be hosting a fashion show next month.
“I am looking forward to a fashion show that not only sets trends but makes other designers think out of the box”,Nkosilathi says.
Tsitsi Elizabeth of Shuku and Accessories who is currently working on opening her first boutique in Bulawayo in March says,”Shuku and Accessories will be opening shop in mid March and we will be bringing trendy ready to wear couture pieces and we will be making custom made pieces for those that want one of a kind fashion”.
I am positive that Bulawayo fashion designers can be successful despite challenges they face to make a name for themselves both regionally and internationally. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done and support too to help them become what they ought to be.
Designs by Mthungameli Designs
