Local models participate in Zimbabwe Fashion Week
Maureen Odubeng | Wednesday September 17, 2014 12:23
The three models, Lucille Obetile, Thabang Molotsi and Kaone Monamodi, have been selected to participate in the fashion shows while stylist, Tumelo Nkwe, will be assistant backstage manager.
He will be working alongside, ZFW head producer Jennifer Deiner, one of South Africa’s renowned fashion producers. Her company, Group of Creatives, is based in Cape Town.
Nkwe told Showbiz that she met founder of ZFW, Priscilla Chigariro-Gessen, at African Fashion International (AFI) in Johannesburg. He made a suggestion to send profiles of models from Botswana for consideration to participate in the ZFW. “I sent the profiles and she picked the three models,” he said.
By participating in the AFW the models will not only enhance their portfolios, but will also get exposure, Nkwe said, adding that prominent players in the fashion industry will be in attendance. “People like Brayan Ramkilawan from Cape Town Fashion Council will be there, so this presents an opportunity for the models to be spotted by people who have a lot of influence in the fashion industry,” he said.
He explained that South Africa has a lot of opportunities for models, adding that participating at the ZFW might open doors for the three young women in Zimbabwe and South Africa. “The fashion week will give the models a chance to impress, and if they do that, the sky is the limit for them, as they may end up getting spots to participate at one of the biggest fashion shows in South Africa, the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week,” he said.
He further explained that people like Ramkilawan, can be instrumental in assisting models find work in South Africa.
He said for him attending the fashion week, means that he will be able to cultivate a relationship with ZFW. He said he hopes that through the network they will be able to give more local models an opportunity to participate at the ZFW. The four are scheduled to return on September 29.
ZFW was founded in 2009. ZFW’s main aim is to create a platform for Zimbabwean designers to showcase their creations. It attracts fashion enthusiasts, designers, models, exhibitors, and corporate entertainers from around the world. Meanwhile, Nkwe from the ZFW will travel to Johannesburg, for AFI’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, scheduled to take place from October 29 to November 1, 2014.