What to Wear to Zim’s Busy Fashion Week?

Zimbabwe’s busy fashion week runs from 20-28 September 2014, and social media is already a buzz with programmes, ticket prices and headlining shows. Fashionistas are getting excited and planning their calendar with what to wear and designers are busy wrapping up final touches to their garments and collections. Since New York Fashion Week 2014 was at the realm of the Fashion World in the past few weeks; with street style bloggers, magazines, trends, fashionistas accompanied by massive instagramming! It’s only natural to seek some inspiration from the World’s biggest fashion show and fashion party, to bring a little taste back home. We have run down top 4 trends to copy from New York Fashion Week (#NYFW) and bring them back home to Zim’s busy Fashion Week. These trends are simple, straightforward and good for your pocket. Fashion Week is essentially about expressing your style at an arena that combines all that exudes fashion lovers, designers, the creative, models and magazines. So make some new fashion rules and give a twist to the old ones!

Channel an Androgynous look a la J Crew

J Crew is a well-known fast fashion retail store in the USA that has affordable and ready to wear clothing for the modern trendy woman, BUT on a budget. This year’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection was a particular favourite because it was super cool, non-fussy and can be borrowed from your boyfriend (Gents included). J Crew’s collection was primarily based on casual clothing, with a new twist in boyfriend jeans, slouchy denim and quirky embellishments on a mini dress. How would you channel J Crew’s look in Zim Fashion you may ask? Take an old pair of denims and switch it up in court heels instead of flats or wear a normal office pencil skirt but with a graphic tee shirt and high heels. Embellishments are your sequins which are usually placed on glam-y evening gowns and cocktail dresses; J Crew gave them a twist by placing sequins on a casual shift dress that has pockets to match! So if you have a simple shift dress tucked away, then this is the time to upgrade it by adding your own sparkle with sequins and shiny buttons. PS – you can DIY this at home or get a very creative tailor to help you.

Do Ladylike like Diane Von Furstenberg and Stella Nolasco!

DVF is the epitome of fabulous women’s fashion with modern silhouettes to complement her recent S/S 2015 RTW collection. The biggest trend she gave us was Gingham, her signature wrap dresses in modern patterns and a lot of black and white. What the blog personally loved about DVF’s latest collection is the incorporation of gingham in her clothing. Gingham is a boxed design on material, usually found on kitchen towels and table mats (double check the cutlery when you walk into a home/kitchenware store). Stella Nolasco on the other hand was super feminine with much longer silhouettes in maxi dresses and light summer colours, which included whites, pink and blues. A personal blog favourite from Stella was a white maxi dress with leaf detail on the bust. How should you be inspired by DVF and Stella Nolasco’s collection for Zim’s FW? Wear WHITE or a lovely wrap dress to emulate DVF’S signature work. If maxis are your thing then go for it a la Stella Nolasco, because Fashion is really not limited when it comes to Fashion Week.

                      

Stella Nolasco's uber feminine collection, with long lengths and a wavy texture. Be inspired to accentuate your soft colours and florals for a feminine look this Zim fashion week.

                                      

Take it to the Streets and RUN WITH IT!

What’s fashion week without street fashion and street style bloggers right? Although Zim Fashion hasn’t fully bloomed in that sector yet, it’s still a great area of fashion to sought inspiration from since it could be your typical everyday look but with a quirky twist. Street style bloggers dress outside the norm and outside the box, so if you are a creative and bold character then bring out your best and loud looks to the streets of Zim’s Fashionable week.

Prints are a big trend and a wardrobe staple for any chic fashionista! Whether African, graphic, tie-dye or aztec - prints are here to stay.

If you are big on trends, then the thigh high slit is something you might wanna consider this busy fashion week. Get heads turning in a sassy thigh high slit dress or maxi skirt.

           

A clean quirkiness with the fringe blouse and bowler hat. And a fresh clean, ladylike finish on street fashion.

Play it safe with BLACK

Black is a timeless colour that works with just about anything. If you prefer a more demure but yet still chic-sophisticated route, then black is the safest bet for any ensemble. Take a black ensemble and wear it with brighter accessories; such as a gold clutch, red heels or a neon choker. Black looks to keep you stylish can be a little black dress with red heels OR head to toe black in black pants, black top and a sleek black blazer with a classy bun to finish.

      

Black is simple, chic and versatile. Perfect for both day and night, all you have to do is switch up your accessories.

Fashion Week only comes around once a year, and with this year’s edition is jam packed with several events, which could feel a bit daunting and overwhelming with the variety of show times, ticket prices and transport. With a line-up of shows to choose from, it is wise to plan, co-ordinate and budget your transport, show times, tickets and outfits – you don’t want to be caught wearing the same thing twice AND you don’t want to end up stranded at a midnight show so PLANNING is off the essence.

*Check out Tweet-A-Cab Harare for all your transportation needs, from one venue to the next or if you need an alternative route to travel back home safely!*

*Keep in mind that MOST of the shows are scheduled in the evening from 6pm and onwards, Fashion Collective Zimbabwe runs from 11am to 5.30pm*

 All the same, have fun, note down and share the best of what #ZimFashion has to offer on your Instagram!

Stay Gorgeous!

Tendai Sophia

IG @tendaitoscie

Photos sourced from:

www.elle.com

www.harpersbazaar.com

www.stylecaster.com

September's Fashion Calendar

Hello Empire!

Welcoming you to a very fashion forward September in Harare this month. SPRING is here and all the best of it comes with fashionable events to dress up for and to get acquainted with. Two major events highlighting this month are Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2014 and the first edition of SADC Fashion Week 2014 - the first of a regional fashion show coming to Harare (how exciting!). A brand new event to look out for is Fashion Collective Market Zimbabwe - a new initiative for designers by designers launching 28 September 2014. And not to forget some soul searching vibes for the artistic individual with Intwasa Arts Fest and Shoko Festival. Mark your calendar, because all these events take place in ONE week (20 - 28 September 2014)!

ZIMBABWE FASHION WEEK 2014

Zimbabwe Fashion Week is the premiere of Zim Fashion in its 5th year running, this year's theme is AFROCENTRICA being held at the revamped Harare City Library in the heart of Harare. Although last year's show had a few of it's own setbacks - it is still exciting to check out this year's edition and their special guest Uri Kolokolnikov from the medieval series the Game of Thrones. Not sure who the headlining designer will be, but i'm sure to keep you posted.

Zimbabwe Fashion Week runs from 25- 28 September 2014 - ticket dates are still to be announced, as well as the scheduled shows and the participating designers at the Press Conference.

SADC FASHION WEEK 2014

First of its kind and officially launching in 2014, SADC Fashion Week 2014 celebrates the fashion, models and designers within the Southern African region. Harare was chosen as the first destination, with tickets already on sale at the Book Cafe (along Samora Machel avenue). SADC Fashion Week kicks off with the SADC Fashion Week and Style awards, where our very own businesswoman Pokello Nare and supermodel Nyasha Matonhodze have been nominated for SADC Fashion Week Model of the Year. Celebrity guest is Model and Actor Irvine Bosha who is also a Zimbabwean alumni. SADC Fashion Week runs from 20-27 September with the Grand Official Cocktail opening on 20 September from 5pm - 10pm - tickets for the opening are as follows: VIP $50 and Standard $30. Tickets for the Runway shows on the 25th, 26th and 27th September are pegged at $30. Location of the event has not been posted, but i'm sure it will be announced soon. In the meantime, check out their Facebook page for more info.

FASHION COLLECTIVE MARKET ZIMBABWE

Fashion Collective Market Zim is a new initiative by designers Danayi Chapfika of Haus of Stone and Rudo Nondo of Anaia Fashions. Both these ladies felt the need to express designer's views from their own point of view (without the array of fashion shows), and what better way to do that than to launch a collective market of independent and up-coming designers in Zimbabwe. Everything that will be on sale is local - and if you don't know your local designers, then this is an event to check out. The location is the Palm Estate in Greystone Park and tickets at the entrance are $5 ($5 off your FIRST PURCHASE whilst you are inside). The theme for FCM 2014 is RETROBASS (old school vibes and a lot of 90s fashion) as seen on their Facebook page. Independant designers who will showcase at FCM Zim are Ska Sebata, House of Tatusi, NDNM (just to name a few) and the designers themselves.

FCM is on 28 September from 11am to 5.30pm.

*Check out their interview with Ngosikadzi Blog here*

Supporting FCM are Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Designer's Galleria.

RETROBASS

FESTIVAL HEADLINING SHOWS

September also offers something for the arts and music lovers- Shoko Festival and Intwasa Arts Fest are also aligned in the same week. With Shoko Fest in Harare and Intwasa in Bulawayo.

In it's 4th year running, Shoko Festival covers live music, spoken word, poetry and comedy with a ridiculously reasonable price of $30 for the four (4) day fest. Location is at the Alex Sports Club, with the theme Re-Inspire, Re-imagine. 

Shoko Fest runs from 25-28 September.

Intwasa Arts Fest is in the heart of Bulawayo, although i do not know much about the Fest, i did come across it very recently on Twitter. It's been around for quite some time, hitting its 10th year running. It offers the best of Bulawayo's Arts and Music scene, with international artistes gracing the Festival as well

Intwasa Arts Fest runs from 23-27 September, in some of Bulawayo's locations.

"INTWASA is held in September. This month is very significant to the people of Bulawayo and Zimbabwe in general. September marks the beginning of spring; a time when a lot of activities are done. Spring is the season of regeneration and rebirth. A season for new beginnings and new life. A season of bloom, happiness and celebration."

www.instwasa.org

20-28 Sept is a very busy week in September for Fashion and Music lovers. A lot of planning and outfit co-ordination is required so Mark your dates and time, and indulge in some of Zim's finest events to grace Spring. Make sure to carry some extra cash just incase there is some purchasing required and have fun taking in new cultures.

As a fashion loving girl, the fashion events is where you will find me roaming around and taking snaps.

Happy Spring-tidings!

Tendai Sophia

DeMOYO launches Winter Collection at Truworths Borrowdale Branch

I’m in the final stages of exam preparation and finalising school (hence my awkward silence), but I had to make one quick fashion event stop at the launch of Paidemoyo Chideya’s DeMOYO new winter collection range at Truworths Sam Levy Village. I’ve only been recently acquainted with the DeMOYO line, and I must say I’m inlove. The brand screams every epitome that is Tendai Sophia, it is feminine, sophisticated, CHIC and above all, it is tailor-made for the uber- sophisticated modern woman with form fitting silhouettes and a neutral colour palette. (I’ve an exclusive with Paidemoyo which is still in the works, but will be shared very soon! Keep on the lookout). For now I will say that Paidemoyo is off international recognition, having spent well over a decade building and crafting her brand abroad; with international liaisons that include Calvin Klein in New York City. Paidemoyo’s opening speech at the launch expressed her love for passion in art, creativity and inspiration. Stating that her stance is and has always been focus on women’s growth and empowerment, which readily shows in her clothing and her personality.

The launch took place on Friday 30 May, at approximately 6pm (yours truly arrived 18.15pm, with my sidekick and sister @ChipoLace). Familiar faces on rotation were @TatRobin, Shamiso Ruzvidzo, Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa and Fungai Tichawangana (the guru behind ZimboJam). Three models worked their stills in DeMOYO creations, first with formal casual attire and the next rotation they donned some of DeMOYO’s best evening couture pieces. And guests were treated to light snacks and bubbly. The launch covered just over two hours, but a lot of pictures, selfies and interactions took place, it’s all about Network Marketing empire!

I thoroughly enjoy how these events and launch parties are increasingly growing to promote local production (and can be super fun!). I’m sure you are well aware about my strong stance and advocating on local fashion, production and consumption. Anything to boost our Fashion industry and put it on the international map, is what Signature Toscie stands for. With that said I hope you will pop by Truworths at Sam Levy Village during the 2014 winter season to purchase a DeMOYO piece, yes Truworths is a bit on the pricier side but I promise you the material, texture and silhouette of the clothing is all worth it.

DeMOYO details:

Facebook; www.facebook.com/DeMOYO

Twitter; www.twitter.com/Ms_DeMOYO

Web; www.demoyocollection.com or www.paidemoyochideya.com

Yours in Glamour and photos from the event below;

Tendai Sophia!

DeMOYO Collection on Display

DeMOYO winter shift dress in this season's winter "white trend".

Model wearing DeMOYO and Entertainment for the evening was provided by Cathy Mhlanga

Models showcasing DeMOYO.



 

Loved this model's make up done by Vault Cosmetics before the Launch Party 

The timeless crotchet dress, which has received its fair share of international recognition was given a demure twist for the Zimbabwean audience.

Beaded Evening gown

The Crowd 

Myself with Paidemoyo and my sister.
Photo courtesy of @TatRobin

Footsies, shoes, heels! Call them what you want but we took a snap!

Have a look at some of these pictures and more on my Instagram account @tendaitoscie

*FIN*

HIFA: Festival Fashion Inspiration

Harare International Festival of the Arts is an exciting annual year festival that combines music, drama, the arts and of course FASHION! This year’s theme is to “Switch On”, so as a blogger, it’s my job to let you in on the festival fashion trends that you need to have a lookout for. Now there are so many festival looks and trends to go by, but since the weather in Harare has been a little off lately; with the cold spells and the sudden rain, its sure safe to consider a little incorporation of some warmer gear when attending this year’s edition of #HIFA2014.

The HIFA Festival Fashion Inspiration will be a two part feature that will cover the ladies fashion and the gentlemen’s fashion. The first part feature will cover the ladies fashion, which will be broken down into three stylish segments; Festival Chic, The Reluctant Rebel and Trend Darling (because to be honest there are so many choices to choose from for Ladies fashion).

 

Festival Chic

Festival chic is the epitome of good ol’ fun festival fashion that includes easy breezy summer frocks, maxi dresses and fun circle skirts. Make the most of your summer frocks and minis at #HIFA2014 by pairing them with brogues, vans, espadrilles and boots to keep warm and fuss free whilst jamming to an energy filled concert. 

An all Black festival look is good to keep you warm, especially during an evening concert.

The Reluctant Rebel

Reluctant Rebel reminds me of a free spirit/edgy persona which really encompasses COMFORT as the main factor, whilst still looking good. Reluctant Rebel is what I would like to define as Grunge-Glam (which is a revolving trend right now), from the 90s a la Rihanna and Beyonce’s current fashion forward looks. Channel the fashion by bringing out a pair of cheeky shorts, graphic tees, statement jewellery and flat ankle boots. Comfort pieces are emulated through a good pair of boyfriend jeans, denim vests and long oversized tee shirts. Leather is a big trend with Grunge-Glam, but since real Leather is pricey, opt for the leather look alternative with the leather look jacket, boots and tassled sling bag.

Boyfriend denim to keep on stylish and warm whilst on the go.
Set from Signature Toscie

Grunge-Glam

All sets and photos taken from polyvore.com and pinterest.com

Trend Darling

Trend Darling translates to top trends right now which are crop tops and PRINT! Print is still alive and pretty much everywhere (and receiving more fashionable updates). Bring out your best and personalized print gear a la Tanya Nefertari, who does not disappoint with her print ensembles and 60s mod inspired collection. I’m a big fan of her print incorporation in her designs.

Be inspired to wear a Long print maxi and stand out from the crowd. 

Tanya Nefertari printed jumpsuit and Mod inspired shift dresses to wear at a
festival. Photos taken from TanyaNefertari.com

Crop tops are for the brave; I say this because they are tummy and mid-riff bearing. Look into this trend by opting for a crop top tee shirt or vest with a high waisted skirt, and finish off with tons of bold accessories. If you are a bit self conscious like myself, then add a cover up for your crop top in the form of a denim shirt or a knit shrug. Be inspired by the look below shopped from fashionbombdaily.com

Festival Accessories

Festival inspired accessories are usually two things; bohemian and edgy. Channel festival accessories through floral headbands, braided hairdos, jewel arm parties, long neck chains, John Lennon inspired sunglasses and flat ankle boots. Closed shoes are a must have because you will spend the day rooming around on grass and sand, so comfort is key and keeping your footsies under wraps is the best option. Another accessory to add is outer wear; since the weather in Harare has been unpredictable. Bring along a long cardi, leather look jacket, a sweater and a scarf; which you can tie around your waist for the time being.

Floral Headband and those John Lennon sunnies to match

Other than looking good, festivals are a great way to have some fun and learn something new in the arts department. #HIFA2014 is only around once a year, so make the most of this opportunity and dress up in festival gear; whilst at the same time taking in new cultures and practices from headlined international acts such as Dobet Gnahore and Josephine.

With that said, do share with me which of the looks above best represents your personality this festival season? Leave a comment below and let's get talking. You can also tweet with me @tendaitoscie and have your say!

Yours in Chic and Glamour;

Tendai Sophia

HIFA 2014’s full schedule is available for download on Google Drive and ISSUU.