The Sunday Mail
Society Reporter
VANHU Vamwe, a fashion design house owned by Dr Pamela Samasuwo-Nyawiri and her husband Simba, is leaving a mark on the international scene.
The entity, which specialises in the manufacture of luxury handcrafted handbags, recently launched its brand in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where its products are being sold in boutiques.
In some of the its milestone achievements, Vanhu Vamwe (VV) — which, in the Shona language, means “One People” — showcased its products at the 2021 Portugal and Paris Fashion Week.
By displaying their works at such a prestigious event, the owners sent a message that VV can hold its own among the world’s top fashion makers.
Based in Canada, Dr Samasuwo-Nyawiri — who is an arts journalist, researcher, educator and multiple-award-winning design practitioner — gave an insight into her work.
“Our style is conceptual luxury handcrafted handbags, which articulates a strong brand that is based on the preservation of traditional crafts through modern innovation. Our work is playful and explores quirky, innovative storytelling that highlights cultural, historical and social themes,” she said.
Dr Samasuwo-Nyawiri, who scooped the 2014 Vogues International Emerging Fashion Accessory Designer award, attributed her involvement in fashion designing to her upbringing.
“I grew up in a household with women of fashion. My mother was nicknamed ‘Princess Di’ because of her style.
“My grandmother, Gogo Samasuwo, was very classy. Although I have a completely different fashion sense, my love for fashion was cultivated during my childhood,” she added.
Her mother — who had a tailoring business in the 90s, where she designed clothes for both men and women — also influenced her.
It is the same case with her husband, a former musician.
“My husband was always the lead fashionista of his peers during his days with the a capella group Shower Power. Growing up in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, looking sharp and clean was of paramount importance,” she added.
Apart from lifting the Zimbabwean flag high, VV’s involvement with international fashion designers is expected to open floodgates for local designers.
“We continue to evolve and we are so proud of our Made in Zimbabwe initiative, which has given us an opportunity to showcase the craftsmanship and potential expansion of fashion design in Zimbabwe globally,” said the Zimbabwe Achievers Fashion Designer of the Year 2014 award winner.
She rallied Zimbabweans to support locally made products.
“There is still the notion that products that are locally made have no value and cannot compete with such international brands as Gucci and Prada. For whatever reasons, the price tags on our bags are not usually accepted locally as they are deemed expensive.”
Adjudged the winner of the 2015 Women for Africa Best International Handcrafted Collection, she is optimistic that her products will one day become popular with locals.
“Zimbabwe is our home. It is a place where all the production takes place. We have faithful customers who are a handful. They support us in unimaginable ways. We are growing. Rome was not built in a day,” said Dr Samasuwo-Nyawiri.
