The Sunday Mail
ORIGINAL STYLE…Miss Zimbabwe World director Mrs Marry Chiwenga dazzled on the red carpet with a regal and unique gown on the pageant
People often lack a personal touch and end up conforming to common dressing patterns.
An example is when colour blocking became the trend in Zimbabwe.
We look to what is fashionable in other countries first, which is style colonialism. Even after the liberation struggle, we have not yet liberated our style aesthetics.
August is the beginning of the glamorous social season of parties. From weddings to fashion weeks, award shows and charity balls as well as dinners and cocktails.
It is when people fear that awkward moment you arrive at an event and meet someone wearing the exact outfit you are wearing.
Just because it was bought abroad does not mean it is unique.
Another way our style has been colonised is by events termed as red carpet events.
Originally a red carpet was used to mark the route for Heads of State and royalty at formal occasions.
In recent times, inspired by Hollywood, it has been used as a carpeted route for media and paparazzi to interview and take pictures of celebrities.
African events have caught on to the trend. The recent MTV Africa Music Awards in South Africa had a red carpet. Locally the red carpet aspect has caught on to our events, forcing guests – who sometimes are not celebrities – to bring on their A-Game when it comes to style.
However, because of the fact that it is our way of imitating American entertainment industry, Zimbabweans often lack the red carpet wow factor. The problem, in my view, is that the idea of needing to imitate the standards of fashion abroad is wrong from the onset.
South African style gurus failed to impress The Sartorialist, a New York photographer who photographs authentic style.
The renowned photographer who came to the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa in Johannesburg was unimpressed with the celebrity dressing, and instead chose to take pictures from downtown Johannesburg and Soweto.
This style-colonialism is why when you arrive at an event you find people all dressed the same.
Special occasions should be special, and there is nothing special than looking like a uniform herd.
Express individuality and stand out!
There is more charm in the person confident in their style than in one dressed like an imitation.
Feedback: [email protected].
