Mcheno & More, Zimbabwe's premier online fashion, art and culture platform, is set to bring to life Thrift & Threads, a new fashion event aimed at uplifting and showcasing emerging creative talent.
The event, which debuts on Saturday October 4, was conceived with the aim of documenting the shining excellence that thrives in the country's fashion and art spaces; excellence that often goes unnoticed. From market stalls to live music performances, there is every reason to be excited about Thrift and Threads.
The event will be hosted once every two months, with the first edition commencing with a RETRO theme, allowing attendees to draw inspiration from the past and show up in outfits from different historical eras spanning from the 1960s to the 2010s. The event will feature a runway with four brands, three homegrown stall‑based labels and three curated thrift retailers selling quality, clean second hand clothing for those with a refined taste—redefining how "bhero" is seen.
To make it more lively and wholesome, there will be live music performers delivering impressive alternative sounds. In addition to this, attendees stand a chance to win prizes as a raffle will be conducted towards the end of the event.
There will also be a dedicated Retro Room, complete with a photo booth, free snacks and printed keepsake photos. The event will be a collaboration involving more than 50 creatives across fashion, music, modelling and craft.
Event director Kingstone Zimunya remarked that the primary motivator for coming up with such an initiative is a deep-seated desire to document the stories of creatives in the fashion and art spaces – and this is what has driven the work of Mcheno & More as the publication turns three this year.
"As we turn three, we believe we have managed to curate the direction of the Zimbabwean fashion scene by simply putting a spotlight on the emerging creatives in the space," Zimunya said.
In a creative economy with few fashion events, Thrift and Threads stands as a trailblazer, according to Zimunya.
"Thrift & Threads is an extension of our vision to uplift Zimbabwean creatives in the fashion and art industry. We hope to spark conversations around sustainability in fashion, spotlight emerging fashion designers and retailers, whilst also providing a platform for young creatives to network," Zimunya went on.
The long-term vision is that this event becomes a launchpad for hundreds of careers in the fashion industry; while at the same time creating sustainable income streams for young designers as well as improving public perception towards thrifted clothing and homegrown fashion.
The thrift retailers selected for the event were chosen for redefining second‑hand shopping by offering cleaned, authenticated designer pieces and curated looks rather than the disorder often associated with bhero markets. "The sustainability aspect of repurposing second hand clothes in this manner and their contribution to the formal economy is what pushed us to take them up and give them a platform," Zimunya remarked.
Thrift & Threads will have the Zimbabwean youth as it's target market, specifically those aged 18 to 23, with an appreciation for fashion and art. This will be an opportunity for them to network and exchange ideas. It is an apposite platform for like-minded creatives: Designers, stylists, musicians, crafters, visual artists, DJ's, models, photographers, content creators, and the goal is to leave a lasting imprint on Zimbabwe's creative space.
"Ultimately, we hope this event cultivates a culture where homegrown fashion is seen, supported and celebrated by the people. Our vision with this event also extends to Zimbabwean music," added Zimunya.
"Mainstream music has become monotonous, as most producers and artists continue working with a proven formula. As a result, young artists whose sound may not match the dominant sonics are being sidelined. We have decided to give a platform for these alternative artists to shine."
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