Designer Mubochwa shines at AU fashion show
Top Zimbabwean designer Thembani Mubochwa stole the show at the just ended Africa Fashion Reception which was held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Mubochwa who was selected to represent Zimbabwe at the prestigious event which will have its second leg at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France next month, proved once again why he is rated one of Zimbabwe’s fashion gurus.
The Africa Fashion Reception is organised by Legendary Gold of Nigeria in collaboration with the African Union. It brings together designers, media personnel, diplomats and other professionals in the Fashion Industry. The objective is to grow African Fashion as a sustainable industry that can empower women and the youth in order to address a number of socio-economic issues.
Mubochwa was able to demonstrate how, through his work in Elephant Conservation he has demonstrated how fashion can be used as a medium to communicate to the younger generation on the need for more involvement in Elephant Conservation initiatives. As a result, he got keen interest from participants from Zambia, Kenya, Cote d Ivoire and the DRC who were eager to form partnerships to take the conservation dialogue to their countries and further into the continent.
The Fashion Show was preceded by the Africa Fashion Business Summit whose keynote speaker was Anthony Dell from the United Kingdom. Dell, who is one of the most successful consultants in the Fashion Industry and has worked with some of the world’s biggest fashion brands, spoke on what designers need to do to access international markets.
Speaking after the summit Mubochwa said, “The summit was a major eye opener for most of us. As designers we need to understand how we can transform our creativity into viable businesses with a proper plan for long term success. Anthony said it quite eloquently, we need to be organised and capacitated to serve international markets. It’s one thing to get the orders it’s another to be able to deliver the order on time and with the right quality.”
Speaking about the brand, Afro Jumbo spokesperson Farai Chapoterera said, “The Afro Ju Collection is something that we are very passionate about and eager to take to international markets.
“ It was created as a fundraising vehicle for the Trust’s activities. Outside material and administration costs, all profits go towards Elephant Conservation initiatives. It is our desire to take this particular brand to the world as it tells the important story of the Zimbabwean Elephant.”
Delegates at the summit spoke on how they would like to see their governments taking a greater interest in the sector and investing more in it. To this Mubochwa said, “ Since my appointment as the National Elephant Ambassador and ambassador for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, I have received the full support of Honourable Oppah Muchinguri–Kashiri and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate as well as Zimparks.
“I have experienced that when we engage with our Government we can achieve a lot for our nation. Through my engagement with the ministry and Zimparks, I am optimistic that my Trust, the Afro Jumbo Trust will fulfil its mandate. I, therefore, have no doubt in my mind that should Zimbabwean designers come together and engage our Government progressively, we can see a turnaround in our industry. Remember we are a major cotton grower and as fashion designers we have the ability to add value to that cotton. Let’s seriously think cotton to garment.”
Speaking on the fashion show Mubochwa said he was proud to represent Zimbabwe and overwhelmed by the response that the Elephant dress got.
“The dress has become a core part of my collection. I will continue to take our elephants with me everywhere I go. For the Paris leg, the elephant will evolve but still remain very much visible in my work, however, I do not want to pre-empt too much you will have to wait and see.”
Looking to the future Mubochwa said they had an opportunity to engage legendary Gold CEO and Founder, Lexy Mojo Eyes with the hope of bringing this continental showcase to Zimbabwe.
“Obviously it is still very early days but our vision is to add a third leg to the Africa Fashion Reception to Harare focusing on green design and encouraging our continental colleagues to add their voices to a host of environmental issues that Africa faces,” he said.
