Meet Mzuzu fashion week designers
At least 20 local and international designers have registered to showcase their products at the Mzuzu Fashion Week (MzFW) to take place between October 3 and 6 this year.
The four-day event will have main runway shows on Friday and Saturday evening at Macondo Camp, an intimate Italian restaurant and camp hidden in the hills of Mzuzu.
MzFW co-founder Wezi Mzumara said the event will provide a luxury and exclusive experience for both participants and audiences coming to sample Malawi’s finest fashion.
“Over the main two evenings of runway shows will be showcasing their new collections,” said Mzumara.
We profile some of the designers:
Mawen Designs
Designer: Maggie Chimtengo and Owen Mwenye
Location: Lilongwe
“Our story began in February 2019. Then we were only customising
T-shirts, hoodies under the brand name KB-Wear, which still exist. Today Mawen Designs offers quality and affordable tailoring and designing services. It’s located in Lilongwe but operates in all the cities of Malawi.”
Ndambiche Designs
Designer: Niyya Musinseni
Location: Mzuzu
“Ndambiche Designs is a brand that covers modest, yet stylish kind of clothing. The clothing is to keep the one wearing it feeling comfortable and gorgeous at the same time. Ndambiche was the designers grandmother’s name and she was a very modest woman but still kept her style on point.
She always encouraged her from a very young age when she saw her interest in making clothes for dolls and eventually for people.”
Phyllis64
Designer: Tadala Kancha
Location: Blantyre
“Tadala has always had a passion for fashion growing up, she first studied Fashion and Design at Kings and Angels in 2015. Her brand Phyllis64 was established in 2018. The inspiration behind the brand lies in her late mum who used to make hand-sewn clothing and when she died, she felt like she should keep her legacy alive.”
M.A.D
Designer: Agness Maliana
Location: Mzuzu
“Agness is a 21-year-old upcoming designer based in Mzuzu. She discovered her interest in fashion in 2012 when she started sketching and hand sewing clothing. In 2017, she embarked on her studies in fashion and design at Phwezi Technical College.
She established her brand in 2018 and opened her studio at Mzuzu’s main market. She specialises in men’s, women’s and children’s wear and accessories. This will be her first showcase as an established brand.”
Nandi Larethi
Designer: Abiot Malawa
Location: Zimbabwe
“Nandi is an award-winning progressive fashion house, looking to change and enlighten the way people think about dressing and looking glamorous.
The fashion house is inspired by fantasias looks for functions, day to day life and if you want to add that little extra edge to your wardrobe. Abiot started designing in Grade 6. He then proceeded to do a diploma in clothing technology in 1999.
Wala Clothing
Designer: Chilungamo Phiri
Location: Lilongwe
“Wala was founded in November 2017 by Chilungamo Phiri (director) and Atusaghe Mushani (creative director) who saw an opportunity in variations of industries for specialised protective clothing and uniforms (school as well as security guards).”
Alinafe
Designers: Alinafe Misomali
Location: Blantyre
Alinafe is an award-winning extremely creative and still developing fashion designer with extensive experience orchestrating all aspects of women’s clothing design while demonstrating attuned attention to detail seeking to grow client base by showcasing collections on international fashion platforms. Growing up in Accra, Ghana, she attended Creative Design College and obtained a certificate in fashion and design.
Her label first gained momentum after being the first Malawian to win the Vlisco Fashion Fund Award in 2014, which gave her the opportunity to study fashion and design further in the Netherlands.
Royal Evie
Designers: Evelyn Chirwa
Location: Mzuzu
V. Aloysius
“Evelyn is a fashion designer from Malawi. She grew up watching Miss World pageants which encouraged her to nurture her talent. She was recognised as the best designer at Luanar Fashion Week in 2018 and cites Zac Posen as her role model.”
Designer: Vanessa Kamperewera
Location: Lilongwe “The evolvement of trends and style overtime prompted Vanessa’s interest in fashion. Her passion is creating and designing new looks that fit the current market and trends. Her clients include children, adults whom she ensures are satisfied with whichever style they desire and feel comfortable in.
