Mzinda Lifestyle Fashion Show debuts in style
Local and international fashion designers brought fashion to life on Sunday at the inaugural Mzinda Lifestyle fashion show in Lilongwe.
Elegance and style were on display as designers paraded their creations on the runway at the Bingu International Convention Centre’s Amphitheatre.
The featured designs included, Dolphin Designs from Malawi, Chico Fashions of Zimbabwe, Nana’s Closet from Malawi and Maso Soma of Nigeria.
Models had the luxury of showcasing a variety of designs, mostly a fusion of classic African and Western wear, aspiring to create a unique touch “which people from all cultures can wear and identify with”.
Like most African fashion shows, one of the main highlights was the chitenje and ankala designs the models donned.
Throughout the show, designers paraded more than 60 outfits, which not only sparkled on the red carpet runway, but also displayed the diversity of fashion.
The guest of honour at the show, award-winning fashion designer Lily Alfonso, hailed the Mzinda Lifestyle Fashion Show for providing a platform where designers can collaborate and work together.
She said: “Today’s fashion show is magnificent and symbolizes that fashion is going in the right direction. Inviting designers from other countries inspires local designers to think differently.
“Local designers should start thinking of collaborating with other designers so that we build the African fashion industry.”
Alfonso also stressed the need for people to pay fashion designers fairly, recognising the effort put into their creations. She encouraged fashion designers to explore opportunities that can help put Malawi and Africa on the global fashion map.
Echoing Alfonso’s sentiments, Jowie Beku, a fashion designer and model based in Ghana who was in the runway, added that collaboration is what African fashion needs.
“Collaborations are crucial, and that is what Africa should be about when it comes to fashion so that we take over global stages with our unique designs as Africa,” she said.
Reflecting on the night, Isaac Mayowa of Maso Soma Designs said the show allowed them to showcase Nigerian fabric.
“The Mzinda Lifestyle Fashion Show allowed us to show our unique fabric that you can’t just find anywhere,” he said.
The organiser, Happy Shaba, expressed excitement at the inaugural event and the turnout.
“We wanted fashion designers, but also models, to network as a way of bridging the gap between the local and international fashion industries, as well as helping them find business partners,” he said.
