Malawian fashion designer Chisomo Chavula, founder of Chicha Fashions, will make her international runway debut at CMG Paris Fashion Week in France from October 2 to 4 after earning recognition for her work at this year’s Mzinda Lifestyle Fashion Show.
The designer, who won the Best Fashion Designer Award at the event, said her work was spotted by international scouts, leading to a recommendation and eventual selection for the prestigious fashion platform.
CMG Paris Fashion Week provides emerging and established designers with an international platform to connect with fashion industry leaders, buyers, media representatives and fashion enthusiasts from around the world.
In an interview yesterday, Chavula said her selection is a major breakthrough not only for her brand, but also for Malawi’s fashion industry, adding that the showcase will give her an opportunity to present Malawi to an international audience through fashion.
She said: “Some of my pieces were spotted during the Mzinda Lifestyle Fashion Show where I also won the Best Fashion Designer Award. Through the recommendation that followed, I was selected to participate in CMG Paris Fashion Week.
“It is a big opportunity for me, my brand and the Malawian fashion industry because the collection I will create will represent both my brand and Malawi. It gives us a chance to show the world what we are capable of.”
Chavula said this was proof that local designers possess the creativity and talent required to compete on the international stage, but often face limitations due to lack of resources and access to markets.
“We have good designers locally. Opportunities such as this can help open markets for all of us and allow us to penetrate the international fashion industry. Sometimes we are held back because we do not have the right resources and clientele. This is one way of sourcing such opportunities,” she said.
Known for designs that blend contemporary fashion with cultural storytelling, Chicha Fashions has built a reputation for creating garments that celebrate African identity while embracing modern aesthetics.
Chavula began her fashion design career in 2018 and has since showcased her work at several platforms, including Lake of Stars, Mzuzu Fashion Week and Pink Malawi.
Last year, she also collaborated with Miss Culture Malawi during the pageant’s grand finale.
Mzinda Lifestyle fashion show director Chris Daka described Chavula’s selection as a positive development for the country’s fashion sector.
He said the recognition demonstrates that local fashion platforms can create pathways for designers to access international opportunities.
Said Daka: “It is a great opportunity for the industry because CMG is among the leading fashion platforms in the world. It shows that Malawi has talented designers whose work can compete and be appreciated on such stages.
“It is encouraging for us as organisers of fashion events because it shows that the world is watching what we are doing. We need more local platforms where designers can showcase their work.”
Daka said it was important to have such local platforms because they are about shifting the narrative from simply labelling designers as tailors to building fashion brands that contribute to our identity and economic growth.
In the past Malawi has also witnessed local designers, including big names such as Lilly Alfonso gain international recognition and showcase their work on international platforms.
