The Sunday Mail
Tafadzwa Zimoyo recently in London
“WALK like you have three men walking behind you,” once remarked fashion icon Oscar de la Renta. Fashion is a part of our daily lives. We adopt our fashion styles depending on the weather and/or change of seasons. The effect of fashion in our lives makes us want something new. Through fashion we re-establish a new line of our culture. Well, after a flurry of questions from colleagues and acquaintances, most of whom flooded my social media inboxes and barraged me via WhatsApp, I have decided tell you why I have been missing in action for the past two weeks.
Well, for starters, let me say it has been an memorable stint, which I had in one of the world’s most advanced nations, the United Kingdom. To be specific I was in places like Birmingham, Kent, Sheffield and London where I was furthering my career as a journalist through fashion writing. Thanks to the British Council, I had the opportunity of rubbing shoulders with some of the best pen-pushers in the trade, fashion icons, millionaires, artistes and entrepreneurs.
I did not know that some countries embrace fashion journalism and I must confess it was quite an eye-opener, learning the basics. Just like in other fields like sport, arts, entertainment, politics and business, I discovered that in the UK, fashion is taken seriously — it has its own desk in the newsroom.
It is interesting to note that London, apart from its scenic and spectacular attractions like the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey and the Kensington Palace among others, also prides itself in being the capital of fashion.
Of course, I would not be true to myself if I do not mention that I visited these places courtesy of my friends Glo Diamond, Conrad Mwanza, Rudo Mandere, Wellington Nyauma and Chiedza Mugabe.
It being home to people from all walks of life and cultures, I must say London is a melting pot of fashion — the French and Italians who are also master fashionistas and designers, are found here; Africans who are popular for their colourful and vibrant traditional attire are also there, alongside a whole lot of other races and cultures.
“So, fashion is an art?” my colleague from South Africa could not help marvel as we criss-crossed shops looking for the exciting, the bizarre, the routine and the classy among others. This window shopping actually proved to be helpful during our fashion journalism course since most of the shop attendants explained everything and answered our questions.
As a fashion journalist and an upcoming television fashion show producer, obviously I was out there, casting my probing eye and acting as the fashion police. And as a fashion writer, one is also expected to look their best and thanks to my various sponsors, I can safely say I was not looking bad. This is a trend, which I think Zimbabwe should embrace as it helps in promoting the fashion industry.
Critiquing fashion helps the general public to develop a new perception on its importance. The researches, studies and exposure in London and other cities to follow are part of preparations for the new Zimpapers television station.
Birmingham was good. I was thrilled to be actually on the soil, which is home to the soccer team, Birmingham City, my favourite football club. I was privileged to be invited for the Zimbabwe Fashion Showcase UK, which took place at Cannon Hill Park under the theme, “Redefinition”.
The three-day exhibition and showcase was organised by Chiedza Dawn Ziyambe, a Zimbabwean by birth who has a passion of fashion. The well-choreographed event saw five Zimbabwean designers, Tsitsi Fred, Rahima Mohamed, Tapiwa Kenenge-Dingwiza, Tsitsi Sibanda and Kuda Matiza, taking part.
One thing I also learnt is the skill of art of which the African print tops. I went to the event wearing my designer African attire and surprisingly all eyes were on me and too bad that can be too good, I came back home empty handed because someone had offered to buy it.
Good thing about fashion shows is that they unite the fashion enthusiasts and I liked how the organisers pulled the event from the stage work, models, make-up, lighting, red carpet interviews, media and masters of ceremony among others, which were on point.
They also respect time management, which is a factor that back home we lack. Cry my beloved Zimbabwe. Most of all these ideas, we have but in UK, they have what they call division of labour where everything is not centred on one person. With fashion you also have to be careful on what you wear especially if you are hosting.
The event saw bubbly beautiful model-cum-actress Nyasha Mitchelle and former ZBC radio personality Kelvin Ncube taking to the stage in their designer garments, which suited not only the audience and event but the cameras as well.
True to that, presenters should match and wear clothes that do not affect the lighting and stage design.
Respect fashion photography and journalism as it too can sustain livelihoods. We need to know that fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life. I won’t say much but the journey begins . . . watch the space.
