Zimbabwe’s fashion story today is about designers and national identity, with textiles long counted among the country’s traditional arts.
Zimbabwe Fashion Week
Zimbabwe Fashion Week is a non-profit described as the flagship platform for Zimbabwean designers. It was started by Priscilla Chigariro in 2009 to develop and educate designers, promote local talent and link them with international markets. Its 2025 edition was listed for 7 to 11 October at the Hyatt Regency Harare The Meikles.
A national fabric
In 2023, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa led a programme promoting Zimbabwean culture through national dress, traditional food and music. It centred on a national fabric, which she wanted to make readily available and affordable across the country. Designers including Tafadzwa Mubvumbi, Ishmael Tsakatsa, Yvone Ndawana and Ashava Designs attended its preparatory meeting, and designers from each province were to compete on the runway.
Textile roots
Wikipedia lists textiles among Zimbabwe’s traditional arts, alongside pottery, basketry, jewellery and carving.
Sources: FashionUnited: Zimbabwe Fashion Week, The Herald via PressReader, Wikipedia: Culture of Zimbabwe.
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