Thembani Mubochwa

Jessica.

“It normally happens when there are upcoming events like the SABC Crown Gospel Awards. At times, I spend a whole week without going back home,” said Mubochwa.

however, Mubochwa has not forgotten his roots, having showcased his works at various fashion fairs on home soil. he has participated in two Zimbabwe Fashion Week editions.

“I want to create synergies with Zimbabwean designers when I come for the next Zimbabwe Fashion Week,” he said.

Mubochwa was born in 1983 in harare’s Glen View suburb where he grew up in a family of five. At the age of 17 he joined fashion designing and he has not looked back.

he moved to South Africa in 2004 to further his knowledge and exploits in fashion design. And indeed he managed to broaden the horizon and now caters for a significant number of “red carpet” outfits at several events in South Africa, mainly Durban.

he has also been involved in charity work where he has donated school and choir uniforms for a Masvingo school.

“I grew up without so much comfort around so my inspiration comes from everything that I see,” he said.

“When I moved to Durban, at one time, I was a street kid for a year but I soldiered on and trusted God for a miracle. It was not easy starting back home, as you know the way tailoring back home it has been seen as a job of the uneducated or for women. It was very difficult to earn just a living from it.

“But when I went to South Africa that is when I saw the real picture of the fashion industry and how much contribution it gives not only to the one behind it but also to the economy. I became inspired and never looked back.”

he said he believes the vision of upcoming Zimbabwean designers should be to strengthen their foundation to show next generations how much can be realised from the fashion industry.

“The Zimbabwean fashion scene is growing in leaps and bounds. With less than five years the Zimbabwe Fashion Week has managed to make an impact in Africa as a whole and this is commendable. That means a lot because it has at

tract- ed the likes of South Africans David Tlale, Thula Sindi, Gavin Raja who are ranked among top 10 designers in Africa,” said Mubochwa.

“We have seen fashion platforms like the Fashion Weekend, hifa and Matabeleland Fashion Week, where we have seen local designers showcasing brilliant works every year”.

he said it was up to local designers to put the fashion and beauty industry on the global platform.

“So far we do not have even a designer who has made it into the top 10 Africa, but we have our own platform that is in the top five in Africa, which means the problem lies with us designers.”

he challenged the local media to open up for fashion and design to help shape a vibrant industry where all stakeholders learn and grow.