The Zimbabwe Fashion Week returns in October after a depressing four-year hiatus. In preparation for its big return, the ZFW Trust has collaborated with the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)’s Department of Clothing Textile Technology in the School of Arts and Design for its Creative Accelerator Programme.
Ten beneficiaries, all students at CUT, have been selected. The programme seeks to empower the beneficiaries to reach their creative potential and prepare them for careers in fashion. This shall be achieved through intense participative mentorship, rigorous evaluation and project based work .
The ten beneficiaries include Tanaka Lorraine Chaza, Tafadzwa Chimuso, Ashley Kagande, Tendai Bhiza, Diana Mlambo, Juliet Madyavuta, Colleen Mutemasango, Charlington Moyo, Isheunoziva Zuze and Leon Chiraudza.
The ten will also have the priviledge of showcasing their designs at this year’s edition of the Zimbabwe Fashion Week, which is scheduled for October, in Victoria Falls. The programme is being funded by The European Union and The Culture Fund.
Speaking to Daily News, ZFW founder Priscilla Chigariro further explained the selection criteria. “In order to support some of our key educational goals at ZFW Trust, which include giving women the tools and resources they need to achieve effective decision making and influence leadership in the industry value chain, we have selected a group with 80% females, with a target of 70/30 in future. These tools will ultimately contribute to accelerating their economic inclusion in the fashion world.”
She also revealed that they have signed a five-year agreement wit CUT so as to revive the Clothing Textile Technology department, with an aim to modernise design equipment and technology.
Verity Muzenda, the Dean of the School of Art and Design at CUT, expressed her delight at the initiative.
“We are extremely proud of the talent that has emerged from our faculty over the years and we are excited to see how each student who has been selected as a 2023 cohort will put their best ‘fashion foot’ forward.”
ZFW Trust Director Marshall Mutsamwira is confident that the cooperation between CUT and ZFW will bear positive results.
He said “Our talented and knowledgeable advisory board, made up of active professionals and entrepreneurs in various fashion and arts-related fields, will share their insights and skills to help create a base curriculum with the following subject pillars – technology in fashion, cultural preservation, effective leadership, and building a sustainable brands.”
Initiatives like these are what’s needed for progression in the fashion industry. We can’t wait to see how the beneficiaries develop; we’re even more keen for the designs they’re going to be showcasing at the Zimbabwe Fashion Week.
Stay tuned for more updates as we draw nearer to October.