The harmony of rhythm and style has long been a major factor in shaping our culture. It is an intertwined relationship that sees the two constantly mirroring and influencing each other. A movement in fashion is echoed in music, and equally so in the other direction.
Although the confluence of these two powerful art forms has long been visible, it has often felt under-explored locally. In an article earlier this year, Zimbabwe's premier platform for fashion news, Mcheno & More, called for more fashion and music events. The sentiment they conveyed was that this ecosystem was needed more often; and on a more visible scale. And in comes the British Council's Creative Economy Week!
The Creative Economy Week's Fashion & Music Showcase was without a doubt the week long event's crowning jewel. Curated by Kay Media Africa and Haus Of Stone, it was a night that brought together threads and music as brilliantly as any global fashion capital. The Venue in Harare might as well have been a runway in Milan or Paris.
Yet more than that was the lively celebration of African fashion, and the colour palettes and patterns that define us as a continent. Represented in the fashion on the runway were Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia.
The models strutted past performances by Bhekiwe, Indigo Saint, Tahle We Dzinza and Masa. They equally made their own fashion statements, while enchanting the audience with both their choreography and vocal delivery. To say they were good would be an understatement.
Henri Uduku was subtle yet striking, with splashes of colour sometimes offsetting monochromatic outfits. Riso Jeradi displayed comfort and elegance, while Yet Galore had bold creations of denim that left an indelible imprint on your mind.
Zanorashe's line was a vibrant interpretation of Zimbabwe's heritage through contemporary eyes; Natai Natai was chic with an eye for detail that stunned with every step; and Char Designz put sustainability in the spotlight, with wearable pieces crafted from fabric waste such as curtains.
What the creators had to say:
We reached out to some of the creators of our favourite lines, and they had a few words to share with us about their experience of the Creative Economy Week and what inspired their work. Below is what they said:
Riso Jeradi designed by Chantelle Jeradi
Greedy South: What inspired the line you showcased?
Riso Jeradi: I love seeing African women at ease. What’s would a Lady of Leisure of wear. How would she look and feel and this line tried to bring that to life. Elevated elegance that is still comfortable and timeless.
Greedy South: How did you feel about the event as a whole, particularly bringing fashion and music together?
Riso Jeradi: The event likely brought a unique and exciting experience, combining two creative industries. Fashion and music have long been intertwined, with each influencing the other. The event probably featured a vibrant atmosphere, with attendees enjoying the fusion of style and sound.
Matobo Collection designed by Nobunanga
Greedy South: What inspired the line you showcased?
Nobunanga: The line under Matobo Collection is a project which is meant to put a shine on the ladies of Matobo whom use every day objects such as sand to paint, decorate and design their huts. The line is meant to take these designs and use them to further the story of these ladies, from the silhouettes to the garment to the presentation, it’s all inspired by these women of Matobo
Greedy South: How did you feel about the event as a whole, particularly bringing fashion and music together?
Nobunanga: Music and Fashion go hand in hand and having the event bring that together took the standards to a whole different level. The innovation and execution is one that can be put on any level world wide and it would stand its own. Would like to see this built on forth as the event was a success in the introduction of the vast ability that Zimbabwean brands and artists have, with so much more to give.
This was the second edition of the British Council's Creative Economy Week Zimbabwe but only the debut of the collaborative concept of fashion and music. At last year's edition the fashion showcase was dedicated to 'I Wear My Culture' - an initiative that reimagined the traditional clothing of 11 Zimbabwean tribes. It was a brilliant concept and however much I love the variety we've gotten year to year so far, I can't help but feel the fashion and music showcase should become a mainstay. A notion echoed by Tahle We Dzinza, one of the music performers at this year's showcase.
"I'm a lover of both. A lot of people know as a musician but I'm also a stylist. It's very beautiful to see the ingenuity, the heart, that fashion designers - especially local fashion designers - have," shared Tahle in an interview.
"I think that the real beauty is that we can bring the Zimbabwean story to more borders if people from music team up with people from fashion, people from fashion team up with cinematographers and photographers. There is more storytelling and more depth that can be created," the singer went on.
The second edition of Creative Economy Week, which is a series of curated events targeting different segments of the arts, was presented by the British Council in partnership with the Swiss Development Agency for Cooperation.
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