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*

Beauty Boutique: Vault Cosmetics

Upscale, adorable and super Chic is how best I can describe the interior decor of the beauty boutique that is Vault Cosmetics, the brain-child by Zimbabwean born and American based make-up artist Jackie Mgido. Jackie Mgido resides between Zimbabwe and America (where in Zimbabwe is her Vault Studio and America is her work-station). Vault Cosmetics has been a hot commodity make-up studio and make up line for quite some time now having launched sometime in early 2012. Their make-up artistry has been featured in a lot of local fashion projects, that include red carpet for Tsitsi Mutendi (whom they work closely with for the shoots for Jewel Magazine, and they did Lochnation's make-up for her cover shoot back in 2013).

Recently, Vault Cosmetics launched a lipstick line with Big Brother 2013 winner Dillish Matthews at an evening soiree hosted on the 13th of February. The Dillish Lipstick range covers Lipglosses for $12 and Matte Lipstick for $15. The full event and an interview with Dillish is covered in the March online issue of Infinity Magazine (where you will find yours truly in the Fashion and Style section with The GLAM Project).

Last week Thursday was my first visit to the studio with @TatRobin on our first hangout as bloggers (which was fun if I must say), and their studio is based upstairs. Originally the studio was based in Avondale along King George road under the Emirates Building complex, and they moved to Arundel Village in late 2013, to a much more accessible and epi-centre shopping location. You wont miss the studio because its a wide open entrance, with make-up displayed on compartments on each side.

I however didn't get a makeover but I was more than glad to watch @TatRobin getting glammed up or "vaulted" by the Vault Cosmetics team, with a make-up session and threading afterwards. I'm no make-up marvel, so on that particular day I learned and picked up quite a few tit-bits on applying make-up and the process of keeping it on for the whole day. My make-up is usually basic, which is your eye shadow, mascara and lipgloss. So its safe to say that I cannot wait for the day to come when I get my vaulted look.

Vault Cosmetics is open from Tuesday to Saturday (not on Mondays), from 10am-5pm. Address is 1 Quorn Avenue, Arundel Village Suite 25. Some of their products include foundations, powders, lipstick, concealers, liners, lashes, mascara, threading and of course a Signature Vault makeover for $25 (bonus if you purchase something during your makeover tutorial).

Vault Social Media Platforms;
Facebook; www.facebook.com/vaultcosmetics
Twitter; www.twitter.com/VaultCosmetics

Thanks to the Vault Team and TatRobin, I've a new found appreciation for makeup (I'm starting to save for my very own Vault lipgloss).

Yours in Absolute Glam!
ST

Tatenda having her make up done by Make-up artist Doreen.

Vault Cosmetics logo

Dillish Lipstick Launch party back in February. Evening decor was done by VIP Hostings Zim

Fashion In Harare

In the last 10 years or so, Zimbabwe as a nation has been through a rollercoaster journey and it is very well evident to see. A lot of the industries have gone into a downturn and one of them being the Textile Industry of Fashion. Fashion on its own, is a versatile and strong industry Incorporated with media and advertising. Now since 2009 however, the industry has been taking a noticeable and yet growing turn, one which I’m proud to see shine. There have been a growing number of fashion events over the past four years with focus being on ZFW (Zimbabwe Fashion Week) as well as the recently launched HIFAshion for HIFA; but my focus here is on the chain store fashion, yes I’m talking street fashion.

As a young undergrad student I’ve a flair for fashion and yes I’m faulty to say I’ve travelled a bit and is even more guilty to say I’ve at some point compared Zim fashion to that of South-Africa, Botswana and Namibia. And the spectrum in indifference is huge because Zim has a long way to go before we are fully recognized on the international front.

So “Fashion in Harare” is just this fashion diary I want to share about Harare’s retail and chain stores directly from the streets as how I see it (you are more than welcome to refer to here or JEWEL magazine Zimbabwe). On a good Saturday (even during the week after my lectures), I window shop as well as bargain hunt on some fashionable pieces trying to create something of my own. It is no lie that Harare retail stores don’t have a variety of clothing because one retail store in Julius Nyerere is selling the same apparel as a store in Herbert Chitepo and my usual concern is finding something that works for me. So here is just a rundown of some of the retail/chain stores (in categories) that are noticeably doing really good and ones which you will find me at (some of these stores can be found in previous blog posts).

NB: all these stores mentioned below apply to both men and women whether young or old.

Budget Babe shopping

Budget babe looks at affordable, cheap but good fashion. This is a selection of some of the stores I go to, to find something fun and nice but good on my pocket. For me its all about the good eye because you really cant buy anything and everything for instance, the colour blocking era was a colour blinding phenomenon for me. I daren’t not go there on clothing but did so on accessories only! Budget babe shopping includes 3 retail stores these being SK2, Wardrobe Mix and Great Gear as well as the fleamarket. Most of the clothing is particularly the same name branding such as H-Twenty One, New Feeling and Miss Eva Denim, just to name a few. These aren’t your quality pieces of clothing but it is what has flooded the market.

Now the fleamarket in Harare has become the norm; almost a hangout/scouting spot for everyone, regardless of age group. Fleamarkets in question is the Avondale fleamarket in the Avondale Shopping Centre operating everyday Monday-Sunday from dusk till dawn, and the Sam Levy Fleamarket that operates every Sunday at the Sam Levy Village.

Traditional Chain Stores

Your traditional chain stores are those that have stood the test of time but are now just rebranding and picking up on the fashion pace. Case in point are Jet (former Express stores), Edgars, Truworths and Powersales. These stores have branches all over Harare and are familiar particularly to the old schools such as my mom (I owe my mom to introducing me to these stores). Now what’s great about these stores is that they have introduced a lay bye procedure, something which is new because they usually work on individual clothing accounts. So far I’ve seen a lot of choices of clothing in these stores, ones which I’m pleased to see. Although they might be a little on the pricier side, I think it’s a fair start. In the case of Powersales, most of their clothing is imported from PEP South-Africa (yes, I’ve checked the labels) and frankly I would like to see more local textile design wear.

High End Boutiques

High end boutiques are the stores that I admire but cannot afford (remember I’m a student), but I do occasionally buy statement pieces from these stores such as a good handbag, a statement shoe or a statement blazer. I believe in investing in certain pieces, ones that I know will last me longer. Now these boutiques stock international clothing and by international I mean they are neither local nor regional. Their clothing is imported from Brazil, England, America and Australia making them pretty expensive in some cases. Case in point is Passport boutique, SOHO Wear, Chapter 2 (two), Little Harrods, Defined Wear and Wisteria Lane. Now most of these boutiques are on the outskirts of the CBD and are found in suburbs that include Avondale, Newlands, Borrowdale and Mount Pleasant. Not to forget the shoe and handbag boutiques such as Sapatos at Joina City, Nicia and Shoe Shack which are both at the Village.

You can spot some of these boutiques and their merchandise in the fashion pages of JEWEL magazine Zimbabwe.

My emphasis here with “Fashion in Harare” is to showcase just what the city has to offer in terms of what and where to find a good piece of clothing to wear. Its no lie that majority of the merchandise in town is cheap, china wear.

Stay Gorgeous and Glamorous,

GD

DISCLAIMER: The blog, Signature Toscie by Tendai Sophia is in no manner affiliated with these brands and/or stores. I’m just a young lady sharing my passion for local fashion.

Harare Store Review: Tag And Bow Boutique

Ladies handbags from $60

Everytime i have the opportunity to take the car to school (which i love because no combis for me and i get to listen to ZiFM stereo!), i try in my best of my abilities to make good use of it and 2 weeks ago on Tuesday, 23 April 2013 i made that stance by visiting the Tag and Bow boutique in the Mount Pleasant suburb  Now i only knew Tag and Bow via Facebook and word of mouth, so i was more than excited to check it out myself. The boutique is actually quite close to my varsity, so it was a quick 5 minute drive from campus.The store is relatively quite small, being situated at 11 College Road within The Olive Branch restaurant. Now the boutique is owned by a lawyer and entrepreneur by the name of Fadzai Mamvura (who i would love to meet someday).

Now for those of you who don't know Tag and Bow, it is actually quite well known in the fashion pages and advertorials of JEWEL magazine Zimbabwe. I noticed the boutique hosts a mixture of international clothing labels with the likes of Aldo and Plum shoes, and a local label which is Mucha (Original African Couture) by JEWEL Editor Tsitsi Mutendi ( which is also featured in the fashion pages of JEWEL).

I particularly quite liked the variety within in the store, but not so much the space and furthermore, it is quite hidden and not easily accessible. But overall i admired the host of labels ( i spotted a boohoo dress, which is a European label) and the variety of shoes.

Stay Gorg and Glam,
GD

Mucha Couture jackets

A rack of Mucha clothing

The assortment of winter boots by Plum and Aldo, just to name a few.
Boots started at $60

Harare Store Review: Sapatos Footwear & Luggage Boutique

Sapatos is just the most divine, elegant and uptown boutique with elegant decor in the city’s Joina City. It hosts a range of South-African and UK Label ladies shoes (Yes, I spotted a BCBG shoe and ZOOM shoes!) as well as handbags and accessories. The boutique is relatively new having been operating well over a month now. It’s got some really up to trend handbags such as the envelope clutch and satchel purse (which I’m obsessed about and will one day own!). I also spotted some really lovely ladies loafers and boat shoes and some really stylish shoes for the little ones. ZOOM shoes were fetching from $45, which for non-locally produced shoes; it’s a really good price. I was even happier when I saw the handbags and purses were fetching from $25 starting with the oversized envelope clutches (which were just divine!). The satchel purse (that I truly adore fetches from $50; the one that I liked was $60 which isn’t bad for an international label being sold in Zim.) The store also hosts shoes and bags for the gentlemen who love class and sophistication and appreciate man elegance. (To be quite honest I think every man, whether your Hip-Hop fab should have a Man purse, Yes one of those Man purses!). Not to forget the store also hosts athletic gear and some school shoes!

I’m very proud to say Zimbabwe is definitely catching along with fashion standards in terms of the sprouting of shoes and handbags boutiques around the city. More so these boutiques are doing their level best in offering some really lovely and satisfying shoes (although they are not locally made and some of these boutiques charge crazy expensive prices, I’m glad that they are giving it a try). Thumbs up to these peeps who are catering for a Quality shoe fetish gap!

Stay Gorg and Glam

GD

I'm more of a Bag-lady, so forgive me for the bias.

The Satchel purse

I'm pretty sure this was a ZOOM shoe...

An array of Envelope cluthes....I die

This one was my favourite

How cute are these satchel purses?

I cannot forget Gentlemen...