The Sunday Mail
Takudzwa Chihambakwe
WHILE many fashion designers are finding the going tough, with production costs sky high and cheap imports flooding the market, many Zimbabweans in the sector are looking for other ways of making a living.
Not so for Tafadzwa Moyo, the brains behind the Kidd Hunta label, who has risen from being a small time designer to running a factory and a retail shop.
“The journey has been a tough one but by staying focused, praying and fasting we are still standing and pushing on,” said Moyo.
“We are far from where we want to be but we are grateful to the Lord for thus far he has taken us. Because who would have thought that from the garage, with three old machines which used to be my mother’s we would grow to showcase at international shows?”
Moyo honed his design and sewing skills during the days he worked for one of Zimbabwe’s most successful fashion brands, Faithwear.
“I pay homage to my boss at Faithwear, Brett van Rooyen, for teaching me most of the things I know now and he is still guiding me even now as we recently opened a retail outlet at Chisi Walk in Chisipite; he keeps supporting us.
“After showcasing at a number of international fashion shows such as the South African Menswear Week and the International Fashion Showcase in London, Brett told me it was time to monetise everything I was doing.
“I always had the plan but I kept delaying waiting for the ‘perfect time’ – but alas, there is no such time. After that discussion I began developing my line for retail as opposed to just making per order and in December last year we opened our Kidd Hunta store at Chisi Walk.”
On how business has been, he said: “We are still learning, but we haven’t started making profits yet as we are still investing in the store. However, I do believe that when we are a year old, we will reach a break-even point and begin to realise profits.”
When The Sunday Mail Society visited The Kidd Hunta store, we found it packed with high quality T-shirts, jackets, joggers, caps and bags among many other clothing items that cost a minimum of US$20. Moyo said high production costs meant prices were on the high side.
The designer said his plan was to franchise Kidd Hunta stores.
“We will just focus on maintaining the brand and supplying the franchisees,” he said.
