Signature Toscie on Pinterest

Like any other girl, my love for photography, glitzy photos and pictures is no secret; since I avidly enjoy reading magazines and taking my own pictures. So in this case Pinterest is no new secret for any social media loving fashionista! You get to create exciting boards with all your favourite pictures and inspirations. There’s nothing new about my Pinterest account except that it expresses all that is me, what I love, like, lust and adore about fashion, food and anything else inbetween. But my most particular attention is on my personal board “Toscie’s Closet” which I started earlier in the year. This board is where I share my clothing and accessories straight from my wardrobe and experiment with some looks (some of which are not on the blog).

So hop on over to Signature Toscie’s Pinterest page and take a look at Toscie’s Closet. Whilst your at it, you are more than welcome to follow me!

Some of my looks from the past few weeks of July;

Happy Pinning!

Stay Gorg and Glam,

GD

Local Lovely Flavour: Tanaka Leroy Samukange

Its been a while since I’ve done a LLF on local talent (and for this year in that case) so its only befitting to start in July (my birthday month). This month’s LLF is urban wear designer Tanaka Leroy Samukange (TLS) of 7:30 Apparel. Now this LLF feature is exciting for me because its my first time interviewing anyone and Tanaka happened to be first in line. This interview has been a long time coming due to our busy schedules of schoolwork (especially on my part) and side projects of designing and blogging but alas it finally came through.

7:30 Apparel is wholly an up and coming urban wear label which is 100% local Zimbabwean. 

What drew me to this particular label is its potential as well as youthfulness; when I’m excited about something I always try to embrace it, and this brand caught my attention. It also further reminded me of Faith Wear Zim, which is an urban wear label that has stores around Harare and is quite a prominent feature on the fashion scene as well as some of Zimbabwe’s fashion catwalks and extravaganzas.

So here’s some one-on-one info on the designer and the label:

First and foremost, who is Tanaka Leroy Samukange (T.L.S.)?

My name is Tanaka Leroy Samukange aka T.L.S., I’m a designer, I make music and I’m also an art student. In 2009 I founded 7:30. Originally 7:30 was called T.L.S. Gear, in 2011 I renamed it to 7:30.The Company’s clothing logo is a clock showing 7:30 usually a roman numeral clock. In 2012 7:30 launched its first catalogue titled 7:30'Gear' decoded from the phrase 'a set of toothed wheels which act together to carry motion. Gear can also be defined as, any type of clothing that you wear.

   What is 7:30 Apparel? What is the significance behind the numbers?

Umm, 7:30 is the time I was born lol, I’m joking, 7:30 [SE~VEN, THIR~TY] is an urban lingo which means crazy, cool etc….

 What inspired you to start something like 7:30 Apparel?

I was always into art then one day I realized that art and fashion work hand in hand…..& I was tired walking shop in, shop out not finding something I liked  or something that reflects who I am….so yea

One of the noticeable slogans of 7:30 is “Check Your Time”. What is the significance/meaning behind that statement?

'Check your time' is a simple statement, with many interpretations, but for 7:30 it is being alert, to reevaluate your actions after realizing that your current course of action is likely to lead you to waste your  time…… 

 

 From my observation, it seems as though 7:30 is more of an urban wear brand and I’ve spotted some of the T-shirts at Sage in Joina City; is there more to come from the brand in terms of Stock lists and merchandise?

Yea there is more to come, I decided to kickstart the brand with making tees so 7:30 could penetrate the market easily…. I’m just driving slow so I can dodge potholes

The label is still so young and vibrant, but I’m more excited to ask if there are plans under construction that will see the brand growing into a mainstream Zimbabwean brand?

 I have teamed up with AMVIS Music group to create a mixtape titled “I GOT MY GEAR ON the EP” which is currently in the making. The purpose of the EP is to help market the 7:30 “Gear” collection through music. It’s easier for people to know about a brand via a catchy song

than through literature. This project is actually serving two purposes. The EP will market the clothing line and also provide a platform for featured artists to shine.

So far I’ve only seen a few male orientated pieces from 7:30, is there anything under construction for the ladies?

Yea there is, I have been doing some sketches, the thing is that it’s very hard to design female orientated pieces if you a male designer, so I have taking time doing my research but soon hey…just watch this space

Something for the ladies; funky-hipstar urban wear

A lot of young Zimbabwean youths are launching their own local street/urban wear labels, my question is what sets your brand above the rest?

My goal is to establish 7:30 as the leader of streetwear in Zimbabwe and eventually in the world.

I have developed the following blogs, Star of the month, Steelo, which operate under 7:30… these blogs have provided a platform for me to interact and get closer with my audience, plus my collaboration with AMVIS MUSIC GROUP has even brought me closer to the hip-hop community which is mainly my targeted audience….

Models wearing 7:30 Apparel.

Last but not least, on the local or international fashion scene, what is your absolute fashion? Must have or accessory at the moment?

my fashion must have at the moment is square scarf, a square scarf with an urban  style can give you  personalized street look….square scarves have become the most stylish accessories one has  to own this season they are fun and easy to wear they can suit each individual and add a dash of chic to any outfit…

So There you have it, my first interview on a local designer. Its also great to note that Tanaka Leroy made to the Top 14 Designer Finalists for Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe, and recently scooped a spot in Zimbabwe Fashion Weekend's Young Designer Finalists. Exciting to see where this brand is going. 

Watch this space....

Facebook- www.facebook.com/seventhirtyapparel

Twitter- www.twitter.com/seventhirtycl

As Always..
Stay Gorg and Glam,

GD

Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe (FWZ) Top Designer Finalists

Every time I get the chance to attend something fashion related I do my best to dress up and go all out. This past weekend I got the opportunity to attend Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe’s Top 14 Finalists judging process. Now unfortunately I got there super late (like at 11:45 late) but nevertheless I got there and made the most of what I could. Now as we all know, Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe (FWZ) is a brand new annual event that merges fashion, food, and music all into one sphere over a two day weekend (kinda makes you think of a Fab festival with a little more fashion sophistication). The main aim behind the event is to contribute to the development and the future of the Zimbabwe Fashion Industry through nurturing young designers and giving them a platform to express their work (which is super exciting if you ask me). Now the nationwide designer search spanned for over a month from 13 May to 13 June 2013 with over 45 applications that were rundown to the Top 14 Finalists in the following order:

Beryl Kanyowa (I’m guessing this might be Beryl Rue…might be)

Kimberley Masimbe (of House of Kiki M)

Malaika Mushandu (I only found out on Saturday that she’s also a designer)

Noliwe Mhlope (of Listo Designs)

Nyasha Nhutsve (of Nhembe Aleth)

Pamela Mashanda

Samantha Dika

Samantha Natasha Matemadombo (of Identite Noire)

Sharon Tsitsi Mhandu

Takudzwa Edmond Chikumbirike

Tanaka Leroy Samukange (of 7.30 Apparel)

Tanya Nefertari (of Tanya Nefertari)

Thelma Chindabata and Yvonne Feresu (of The Von)

Theresa Kagoro (of Black Excellence)

Now by the time I had arrived, most of the designers had gone so I only got to interview only 3 out of the 14. The three designers I got to have a meet n’ greet with were Nyasha Nhutsve, Samantha Natasha Matemadombo and the duo Thelma Chindabata and Yvonne Feresu. All four ladies that I met had 4 things in common; they were all passionate, fashion driven, original and young designers who had never studied any fashion or sewing course at all! They all created their garments from what their believed in.

Nyasha Nhutsve

Young lady Nyasha Nhutsve is an Africa University (AU) graduate, class of 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology (yes, sociologists think alike!). Her clothing label is Nhembe Aleth which literally means clothing; where “Nhembe” is shona (bantu) originated and “Aleth” is a Dinka language from South Sudan. Reason being that Nyasha adores South Sudan for two reasons, the first being their original and vividly unknown fabrics and second is that South Sudan’s Independence Day simultaneously falls on her birthday. Nyasha draws her inspiration from just about anything, whether it’s an orchard tree to a skyscraper building to African beads; her thesis was to use her academic knowledge on a practical/technical skills environment. Her future dream someday is to take Nhembe Aleth to a regional and international level with flagship stores in Zimbabwe and another in South Sudan.

Miss Nyasha modelling one of her creations

Samantha Natasha Matemadombo

Samantha Matemadombo is the little lady behind Identite Noire, which is French for Black Identity. Samantha is an art marvel who loves fashion and has no design experience but has managed to integrate her ability to draw into fashion design and sketching ( and has this mean sketch book of all of her designs; some of the samples are below). All her designs are Avant-Garde with a mixture of a strong African combination of culture and symbols as well as a little Western inspiration.

Some of Samantha's sketches with the African frock above being my favourite.

Thelma Chindabata and Yvonne Feresu

Thelma Chindabata and Yvonne Feresu were the youngest designers I got to meet, both of 18 years of age and doing their A level studies at St. Dominics Chishawasha. The girls had always had a passion for fashion since the onset of their high school years and they actually did not take a Fashion and Fabrics/Textiles class at school. Their clothing label “The Von” was only incorporated last year when the girls decided to bring their creative thoughts into reality. Their label is a fusion of African and Western inspiration.

I can see myself wearing the red jacket with the black panels

Now this is all I managed to cover considering I was a late bird but overall I must say it was a pleasure to meet all the girls. It’s exciting to think that there is raw talent in Zimbabwe and it’s just a matter of the right platform and resources for them to express themselves. Furthermore the girls who I interviewed were lucky enough to clinche a spot in the Top 8 finalist designers for FWZ and I must say I’m so proud (heck I’m sure I was their lucky charm too, since I came late and got to meet them at the last hour). Congratulations to all the finalists and I cannot wait to see what these guys will produce. 

The Top 8 as announced on Monday 1 July 2013

FWZ will take place this year from the 12^th-13^th October 2013. Remember, it’s all in the name of F.A.S.H.I.O.N.

The Lady behind FWZ, Shamiso Ruzvidzo wearing an all black ensemble with gold details. Love her shirtdress.

The young designers i got to meet. Thelma and Yvonne in their St Dominics uniform whilst Samantha has the bun. To Samantha's left in Noliwe Mhlope of Listo Designs. And Samantha's model wearing the red maxi dress.

P.S. It’s a tad bit unfortunate I couldn’t share pics of my outfit but hence here is a snapshot of what I wore;

Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe:

Website: www.fashionweekendzim.com

Twitter: @FWZ013

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FashionWeekendZimbabwe

Stay Gorg and Glam,
GD