Threading the Future
PATIENCE MUSA
A new rhythm is stirring in Zimbabwe’s fashion circles—a rhythm of bold vision, vibrant voices, and purpose-driven design.
The Fashion Council of Zimbabwe (FCoZ) has unveiled a restructured board, not just as a formality, but as a statement: that Zimbabwean fashion is not merely surviving—it is ready to soar.
With roots anchored in tradition and branches reaching toward global runways, the Council is stitching together a future where fashion becomes a language of identity, culture, and possibility.
The new leadership brings together designers, storytellers, business minds, and global thinkers, each thread woven with intent.
At the helm is Chairperson Patience Lusengo, a familiar name in Zimbabwean high fashion. “It is a great honour to serve an industry I’ve poured so much into,” she says. “As I lead, I bring a philosophy of service—one that ensures our local talent not only dreams, but thrives.”
Supporting her is Tafadzwa Zimoyo, whose pen and lens have long chronicled the interplay between fashion and culture.
“Media visibility is our echo. It shapes perception, celebrates diversity, and opens doors,” he notes. With years spent covering international fashion events, Zimoyo brings the insight of a journalist and the heart of a cultural architect.
Founding Chairperson Joyce Chimanye now steps into an advisory role, her legacy deeply sewn into the Council’s fabric.
“I’ve witnessed the shift from industrial manufacturing lines to individual brands led by passionate creatives,” she reflects. “The Wear Zim campaign, launched in 2022, was about embracing and celebrating this evolution—and pushing it forward.”
The new board reads like a who’s who of Zimbabwe’s next fashion chapter. Yolanda Ngwenya, the youngest member and based in Bulawayo, champions decentralisation and youth inclusion. “We are the future. And the future is now,” she says simply.
Marshall Malikula, whose career spans business and design, speaks of a creative economy grounded in commercial intelligence.
“Creativity without strategy is a beautiful dream—but that dream must fund itself. Making money makes sense,” he quips, while pointing to AI and tech as game-changers in the fashion value chain.
For Tsungi Banga, systems matter.
“Good governance isn’t glamorous—but it is essential,” she asserts. “It creates trust, accountability, and the kind of structure within which creativity can truly flourish.”
From across oceans, Eglet Mtengwa Nyabvure brings insights from Zimbabwe and the Netherlands.
“In the global retail space, collaboration is everything,” she says. “Even competing brands find strength in shared growth. Zimbabwean designers can thrive globally by telling stories rooted in who we are—vivid, bold, and unapologetically authentic.”
Butholezwe Kgosi Nyathi blends fashion with cultural entrepreneurship. “Fashion speaks. It intersects with art, media, and identity. Our story must be deeply Zimbabwean and proudly relevant to the world.”
Global beauty expert Jackie Mgido, of Vault Cosmetics fame, adds that fashion without grooming is an unfinished sentence.
“Beauty elevates the story. On runways and in campaigns, it is the emotional punctuation,” she says. Her call for mentorship echoes throughout the Council’s strategy—to bridge Zimbabwe to the world without losing its soul.
And then there’s Tafadzwa Michael Moyo of Kidd Hunta, a streetwear maverick and symbol of youth innovation. “Fashion is the voice of urban youth. It’s not just what we wear—it’s how we exist. Our mission is to empower, ignite, and inspire a new generation of creators.”
Behind the glamour lies a focused strategic rollout: a national talent registry, mentorship programmes, international partnerships, policy engagement, and a digital hub for creatives.
The Council is also investing in platforms that celebrate Zimbabwean craftsmanship, from textile heritage to Afro-futuristic design.
Sustainability and inclusivity aren’t add-ons—they are the ethos. Circular fashion, community participation, and cultural diplomacy are integral to the Council’s direction.
The Fashion Council of Zimbabwe is ready to not only represent fashion but redefine it as a driver of national pride, economic growth, and creative legacy.
In the quiet hum of sewing machines, in the shimmer of runway lights, in the confident walk of a model draped in identity—there lies a promise. The Fashion Council isn’t just dressing a nation. It is threading its future.
