Over the past month, you’ve probably watched a video from Voltz JT, Tamy Moyo, Tanto Wavie, Mugaratia, or Nutty O.
Fire music, clean visuals; and have you noticed the fashion? Gone are the days of the bland, counterfeit outfits; today’s artists are counting on stylists to give the right look to their music.
After enjoying yet another quality offering from your favourite artist, you might have peeped at the credits in passing. Nine times out of ten, the styling credit goes to none other than Drip Psycho. Nine times out of ten, you may not have taken time out to do a deep dive on this superstars’ stylist.
Well, that’s what we’re here for, ten times out of ten!
We cannot speak of Zim fashion’s renaissance and omit the story of Drip Psycho, and what he has done for Zim music. He can be largely credited for elevating the look to the music we’ve enjoyed over the last three years.
Born Decide Mupesani, he burst onto the scene at a young age; part of the visionaries that emerged post-Covid. Since then, he has been everywhere—on set at music videos, on the runway, on your Instagram feed, even on GQ’s radar!
Although his work has reached millions, Drip Psycho has remained humble and elusive, choosing to maintain a low profile. After years of seeking an audience with the creative genius, we finally cornered him in late July as he rested from a busy AW25.
The ensuing conversation did justice to unmask the man behind the genius. Enjoy!
Mr Mupesani, thank you for letting us document your contribution to Zim fashion!
It’s all my pleasure and thank you for the opportunity.
You burst onto the scene at such a young age. When did fashion first speak to you?
Fashion’s language resonated with me early on, as I uncovered the transformative power of clothes to convey emotions, narrate stories, and forge connections.
Though financial constraints initially limited my creative expression, I saw garments as vessels of hidden narratives and untold secrets, sparking a deeper fascination with the art of fashion.
Over the years, you have worked closely with Leeroy Jawala of African Hippie. How has the experience shaped your journey and perspective?
Our partnership with Leeroy was transformative. As a pioneering Zimbabwean stylist, he brought expertise and vision to our projects.
The experience of working on ‘PARADHISO’ and his assisting hand on our SS25 Deconstruction collection not only honed our skills but also instilled a lasting creative philosophy that continues to shape our work.
Your expertise and experience as a stylist is unmatched, and you’re now venturing into design. Why take the stylist-to-designer path?
Styling others was a crucial stepping stone for me. It allowed me to hone my skills, understand what works, and develop my unique aesthetic. By working with different clients and pieces, I gained valuable experience that informed my design decisions and ultimately prepared me to launch my own clothing brand.
Me and Bluesmoke (Ronald Nyahuma) had already been experimenting with various kinds of clothes and that experience ultimately led us to take the leap and turn our passion into a reality.
Truly, your passion for design is now a reality—The Homeless Kids. Can you break down the brand for us?
The Homeless Kids Creatives Hub is a vibrant, eclectic collective that embodies creativity, sustainability, and inclusivity.
Our mission is to empower young individuals to express themselves freely through fashion, art, visual expression, and voice. We cater to fashion-forward individuals, offering statement pieces that spark innovative ideas.
Additionally, we serve as a media platform, providing videography, photography, brand consultancy, and graphic design services.
Our vision is centered on amplifying the voices of Zimbabwe’s youth –especially those from underprivileged backgrounds– by unlocking their creative potential through fashion and media.
We’re building a platform where emerging talents can share their stories, showcase their skills, and connect with industry leaders, fostering a community that celebrates self-expression and innovation.
Wow, so THK is more than just a clothing brand, its a whole creative hub! Where do you derive your inspiration to create?
Our inspiration comes from our surroundings, culture, and experiences. We’re influenced by the vibrant colors, textures, and rhythms of African heritage, as well as the eclectic mix of urban and rural landscapes.
Our inspirations are drawn from life, art, music, and the people around us, which we then interpret and weave into our creative expressions.
You announced the birth of THK at last year’s Fabrik Party Convention, and went on to feature at Vic Falls Food and Wine Fest in May. How did it feel, showcasing your work?
Showcasing our designs at the Skeyi and Strobo Fabrik Party Convention and Victoria Falls Fashion Festival was an exhilarating experience! It was amazing to see our creations come to life on the runway, and the energy of the audience was electric.
We’re thrilled with the response and can’t wait to do more.
Both these showcases have featured pieces from an upcoming collection. You’ve already teased it as an SS25 release, tell us more?
The name of the collection coming out is ‘Orphanage Redemption’ a profound collection – it’s a powerful fusion of artistry and activism. Showcasing the richness of Zimbabwean culture, it tackles universal themes through deconstructed corporate silhouettes infused with African nuances and social commentary.
By challenging traditional narratives, ‘Orphanage Redemption’ sparks reflection on identity, humanity, and cross-cultural understanding. This thought-provoking collection contributes to a more inclusive global fashion landscape, celebrating African heritage and inspiring appreciation for its contributions worldwide.
We are now in SS25, but you teased this collection as far back as SS24. This is an approach you’d see in the Global North. Why did you choose this route?
We’ve adopted an innovative approach by providing sneak peeks and advance notice of our upcoming releases.
This strategy was inspired by our desire to cultivate a sense of anticipation and engagement with our audience. By doing so, we aim to foster a community that feels valued and informed, ultimately driving interest and excitement around our brand. This approach is essential for several reasons.
Firstly, it enables us to gauge audience interest and gather feedback, allowing us to refine our designs and better cater to their needs.
Secondly, it creates a sense of inclusivity, making our audience feel invested in our creative process. Lastly, it sets us apart in the industry, demonstrating our commitment to transparency, innovation, and customer-centricity. The response at Fabrik Party Convention24 and in Victoria Falls has been encouraging, and we’re excited to see how our audience continues to respond to this fusion of styles.
Yours has been quite a journey. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any creative endeavor, our journey has had its share of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was financial constraints – trying to pursue my passion for fashion without the necessary resources. There were times when I had to get creative with limited materials, and it actually ended up influencing my design style in a positive way.
We’ve also faced logistical issues, such as sourcing materials and managing production timelines.
But if I’m being honest, the toughest part was probably self-doubt and staying motivated when it seemed like my dreams were far-fetched. Learning to navigate those moments of uncertainty has been a crucial part of my journey.
How were you able to overcome some of these challenges?
To overcome these challenges, we’re focusing on refining our processes, building strong relationships with suppliers, and staying true to our creative vision.
We’re also prioritizing open communication with our team and audience, ensuring that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals. Additionally, we’re embracing the iterative nature of the design process, continually learning and adapting to overcome obstacles and push our brand forward.
Some of the problems you mentioned are accustomed to our country. How can we move from those problems as a country?
I think for us to move forward as a country, we need to start valuing and celebrating our own creative outputs. We need to recognize the worth of our local talent and support them in a way that encourages growth and innovation. It’s about creating a culture that appreciates and promotes homegrown creativity, and also about building platforms and opportunities for our artists to showcase their work.
By doing so, we can shift the narrative and show the world the value and beauty of our work.
You have already worked with most superstars in the Zim music scene. Who remains on your wish list?
Having worked with many talented Zimbabwean artists, we’re now eyeing collaborations with African music heavyweights like Asake, Burna Boy, Maglera Doe Boy, Rema, Zlatan, Zinoleesky, Seyi Vibez just to mention a few.
This would be a stepping stone to further exploring global creative partnerships and pushing the boundaries of art and music.
We now know THK’s debut collection is definitely coming. What else should we look forward to from THK for the rest of 2025?
Beyond the THK debut collection, we’re excited to expand our creative horizons as a media company. Stay tuned for our upcoming film series, which will be announced soon.
This new venture showcases our commitment to storytelling and innovative content creation, and we can’t wait to share it with our audience.
[End of expert]
