When a cultural ecosystem is at it's healthiest, fashion is both a language and a mode of artistic expression. What we wear is a showcase of who we are and clothing is not just a matter of covering up.
For many Zimbabweans, fashion has become something those who have the time and resources engage in. A thing for runways that might be right in the capital's CBD but yet are far distant in accessibility. While Zimbabwean designers are being adored across the globe on runways in London, Paris and Milan, they have been disconnected from the average citizen.
Zimbabwean designers have just been a story people read about then soon forget as they dive into their daily battles. Yet a new community of creatives is seeking to change that.
Scenes from Babwê THRIFT DAY
Shot by DylanShotIt
Babwê, a fashion label seeped in the country's heritage and at the forefront of Zimbabwean fashion, and Mcheno & More, Zimbabwe's foremost fashion platform, recently collaborated on what was dubbed the Babwê THRIFT DAY. A day celebrating fashion, music and most importantly, community. Right in the heart of Harare, at Theatre In The Park, the last good thing about Harare Gardens, expression in fabric came to life.
What so many years ago was ridiculed (and still is in many circles), as the Kotamai Boutique, the Bendover Store, thrifting, was engaged in as not only an environmentally conscious activity (the brains behind this are very aware of fast fashion and western overconsumption's weight on the world) but an invaluable space for those concerned about personal style.
SAIIREN performing at Babwê THRIFT DAY
Grayville Thrfit, Sickwear Thrift and Tripple Tee Clothing were present, with Obey The Stylist on hand to give fashion advice. While the fashion labels Soleil, Rebel Streetwear, The Eth, Croshe, GFG, Tibzy Wears, and RARE ART had models embedded in the crowd, in what was an omnipresent runway. Babwê had old collections on discount, and the soundtrack to a day of fashion was provided by CHOMUKOBODO, jD, and SAIIREN, alongside some talented DJs and Donne Jovi as MC.
Unbeknownst to most of the park's traffic, a fashion revolution was having it's moment. Designers in conversation with consumers, fashion's custodians with their most important stakeholder.
A few days before the THRIFT DAY, Babwê had released it's replica football jersey which had sold out. At a price that was out of reach of the average citizen but then THRIFT DAY arrived as a way to not only connect with those that purchase the brand but also those who might only afford to appreciate it's designs from afar. A fashion community cannot be complete without both, and what Babwê and Mcheno & More brought together is what the fashion space needs more of.
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