Sidumiso, Nkanyeziyethu off to Durban Fashion Fair

SEASONED fashion designers, Sidumiso Tshuma and Nkanyeziyethu Malunga have been selected to be part of this year’s Durban Fashion Fair (DFF).

The prestigious event that runs from August 30, ending on September 3 will take place at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban, South Africa.

An award ceremony for the designers, models and those involved in the Fashion Fair will also be held.

The fair is typically attended by a host of fashion buyers, textile companies, fashionistas, and many other key industry players.

Sidumiso will showcase under his clothing brand “Shadow by Sidumiso” for the third consecutive time while Nkanyeziyethu’s clothing brand “Ganu” will be making its debut appearance.

Zimbabwe’s participation at the Fashion Fair began in 2014 with representation from Shadow by Sidumiso, BlinQ Xclusive Jewellery, and Ara Kani. After impressing on debut, Sidumiso made his second appearance in 2015 together with Zanele Dube, the founder of ZAH Designs, and Saneliso Mpofu, the founder of Sanah Designs.

All the designers that have showcased at the Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) passed through the Edgars Young Designer Development Programme, an initiative by Hunnar Management Agency and Edgars Stores. They are expected to showcase high quality ready to wear exclusive collections during their shows.

Their participation at the Durban Fashion Fair is as a result of the relationship between Bulawayo and the EThekwini province. Bulawayo has been participating in the annual “Celebrate Durban” since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2002. In 2012, EThekwini Municipality — management and council approved the launch of the Durban Fashion Fair which is part of the fashion development programme that aims at capacitating the local designers, empowering them and encouraging the culture of entrepreneurship, while facilitating access to market and networking opportunities.

Every year, 10 young designers from Durban Fashion Fair are selected to attend the Milan Internship Programme and other designers are invited to participate in the South African Fashion and Culture Show in London.

“Being a Ndebele young woman, aspiring to be a leading voice for many and to be a better individual, this platform allows one to use fashion to carry important messages for many other women across the nation and the continent. It is such an honour to be showcasing at Durban Fashion Fair, as Ganu this is our first international showcase and we will surely do our best to represent our people”, said Nkanyeziyethu Malunga of Ganu. — Zimbojam