Valentine’s Day inspires local fashion designer

CELEBRITY stylist and fashion designer Tapfumanei Munenge —- the brains behind clothing collections Farewell, Mystical Creatures, and Enigma — has launched a new ve-look collection dubbed Blood Valentine Summer Spring 2023 which is inspired by St Valentine’s Day. The ve-look collection, was released on Valentine's Day and comprises the mermaid skirt modelled by Tanatswa Tamia and Shashl. This particular look happens to be the opening look of the collection which Munenge describes as a tone setter for the rest of the looks.

“The mermaid skirt happens to be the opening look of the collection, setting the tone throughout the entire collection. It is a two-piece look consisting of a halter neck top and a ruched mermaid skirt all done in enduring red Cantonese tulle,” he said.

The second look is the Juliette horned plunging neckline tulle dress followed by the loofah dress modelled by Shashl and Tanatswa Tamia. The loofah dress encompasses the whole Munenge brand aesthetic which is all about timeless yet futuristic, simple, sexy and very feminine yet masculine tailoring.

The celebrity designer and stylist said the whole design around the loofah dress is centred on his brand motto which is turning dreams into reality.

“The construction style is a timeless silhouette that embodies the Tapfumanei Munenge woman who is e ortless yet chic,” he said.

“The loofah impression is given by how Thai silk mimics its composition, however, its distinct shape formed around the human body gives a very form tting yet pu y, but a silhouette that is attering to the body.”

A loofah is a tropical Old World climbing plant of the gourd family that produces loofahs which are the brous interior of a fruit that resembles a marrow, dried and used as a sponge for washing the body.

“The whole design is centred on our brand motto which is turning dreams into reality. Us cantering our design around the loofah and then deconstructing it into a feasible garment that is attering was our mastermind into creating this masterpiece,” he said.

The fourth and fth looks are the sheer path mini-dress and the tubed red three piece dresses with a match cape, and Munenge says his designs are not meant for a regular day or a regular person.

“My clothes are meant for a day where one wants to express their personality with clothing, without having to say anything but letting the clothes do the talking for them,” he added.