Beyond the crowning of Thandie Chisi as the new Miss Malawi 2025, the pageant at Pearl Convention Centre in Lilongwe provided a platform for local fashion designers to showcase their creations.
The runway was a canvas for Malawian stories, culture and evolving design aesthetics that portrayed fashion as a growing force in the country’s creative industry. Both contestants and guests were draped in home-made eye-catching designs.
Xandria, one of the designers featured who also dressed the current Miss Malawi title holder said her inspiration was drawn from the modern Malawian woman who is confident, intelligent and rooted in her identity while remaining globally aware.
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She said her designs focused on strong silhouettes and intentional storytelling, reflecting growth and purpose rather than beauty alone.
“Having my designs worn by a contestant who went on to become Miss Malawi, as well as by international guests, was incredibly affirming. It showed that Malawian designers can meet international standards of quality and elegance, and that our work deserves space on global platforms,” said Xandria.
She said the Miss Malawi platform created visibility and credibility for designers and opened doors for collaboration as well as international exposure saying the quality of work signifies a shift in local fashion.
Xandria also dressed Namibian judge Luis Munana, who stood out in her Xandria Menswear design during the grand finale.
Another designer, Hilda Fashion Designs said she used the stage to tell culturally grounded stories through her designs that drew inspiration from nature to symbolise Malawian heritage.
She dressed four contestants in the avant-garde category, namely Mercy Mpoka in the green tree dress, Zaithwa Banda in the white rose dress, Sinikiwe Chasweka in the basket dress,Kaysie Chinere in the Mlaza wings dress and former Miss Malawi Cecilia Khofi.
The designer said each piece carried meaning, from a tree-inspired dress symbolising connection to nature to a basket outfit honouring the hardworking women of Mchinji.
Hilda said the Miss Malawi platform also helped designers expose themselves and connect with industry players.
“It helped us raise awareness of Malawian fashion highlighting its potential to contribute to the country’s economy and cultural identity. For local designers, it’s a chance to grow, collaborate and put Malawi on the global fashion map,” she said.
Beatrice Mavuto, whose brand Scorpii Clothing dressed Chisi in the final category, said culture and tradition were central to her conceptual designs.
Mavuto emphasised that the platform demonstrated how fashion is evolving in the local set up with more people opening up to new ideas.
“The platform provided the space for designers to shine and fashion is evolving in Malawi for sure. Malawians are becoming more open minded,” she said.
Despite local designers working with contestants during the Miss Malawi journey, the organisers of the event had fashion brands House of Daniella and Marcus Austin as official partners.
