By Caleb Chikwawawa
A rising fashion designer who is also a popular social media personality Tinotenda Matayi, popularly known as Hatiperi, has this week released a winter collection that has caused a stir on social media because of its high price.
The fashion designer, who also happens to be an able entrepreneur, launched his winter23 collection which compromise of a glow warming jacket this Thursday which has left people startled by its staggering US$100 price.
Commenting on his Facebook post, some people criticized his product saying that the quality of his jacket does not deserve to sell for US$100.
Matayi commented, “It would have been better if it was a bomber jacket or a basketball jacket, this one looks like it’s for a security company yet that high price.
“This jacket is too thin. We want value for our money”.
He imperviously defended his product saying that the price is fair to those who know the value of his brand.
“US$100 is a fair amount for someone who knows the value of our brand and the fact that this product is a limited edition is another reason for that amount,” Matayi said.
Despite the controversy surrounding it’s price, Hatiperi’s jacket has so far seen support from people including the popular musician Kae Chaps.
In his Facebook post, Hatipere posted a picture of him and Kae Chaps with the caption, “first celeb-customer to place an order, he said ‘King, I need the winter23 jacket, I have a shoot for Ihulumende video’. God bless you Kae Chaps”.
Hatiperi also saw support from his colleague Magic Wacho who is another social media personality as well as a popular social media figure.
Magic Wacho posted a picture of the jacket on his Facebook page and wrote words of support to Hatiperi saying that he wishes him well in the selling of his product.
Tinotenda Matayi pleads with Zimbabweans to support local fashion brands and he believes that it is through support that they can flourish. Support will make these brands recognized even internationally and this will boost the reputation of Zimbabwe’s fashion industry.