One of the country’s fashion designers Lilly Alfonso has released traditional-inspired designs christened with local names to inspire change and preserve Malawi traditional heritage.
The two local fashion lines are Anazimbiri and Achilundu.
In an interview on Saturday, Alfonso underscored the power of local identity in fashion.
She said: “Many designers feel pressured to copy Nigerian or external aesthetics, but that approach limits the growth of our own creative economy.
“For a long time, I saw the need to inspire change. That is why I came with the 100-Year Plan Vision—to inspire, motivate, support and intentionally transfer skills to the next generation. This motivated me to embrace local names because they carry power.”
Alfonso said local names anchor the designs to place, people and purpose.
“Anazimbiri, for instance, is not just a word. It is a story, a memory, a lived experience handed down through generations. We have seen many designers rise, open beautiful studios and create bold work and that is progress worth celebrating,” she said.
Alfonso said it was time to shift the focus towards local roots.
“However, this is not about rejecting global fashion. It is about standing confidently in who we are and letting the world meet Malawi through our craft,” she said.
Alfonso said for a long time, mothers wrapped strength, dignity and courage into their everyday lives through these garments.
“This design takes that lived heritage and translates it into a contemporary silhouette,” she said.
Commenting on the local names, Deborah Yesaya, a fashion enthusiast from Chirimba in Blantyre, said local names carry power.
“We are Malawians and it inspires us when fashion designs carry our local names. This does not only improve our sense of pride and belonging, but also puts Malawi on the global map,” she said.
