Zimbabwean accessory designer and Creative DNA Africa alumna Chido Kaseke, founder of PatCh Maokoe Zimbabwe, has been selected for the prestigious Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield programme, an international fashion exchange bringing together emerging designers from the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Launched in early 2026, Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield is a collaboration between the British Council, the Paul Smith Foundation, and Projekt. The initiative offers six designers the opportunity to travel, collaborate and build sustainable businesses through peer-to-peer exchange, mentorship and hands-on learning in Ethiopia and London.
Chido joins a carefully selected 2026 cohort that includes Solome Asfaw (Ethiopia) and Karoline Vitto (London). The finalists were chosen by a distinguished panel that included Ib Kamara, Creative Director of Off-White, affirming the calibre and global relevance of the programme.
The journey begins with a 10-day exploration in Ethiopia, hosted by iceaddis, where designers will engage with local craft traditions and contemporary fashion practices. From there, participants move to London for a six-week residency at Studio Smithfield, a 27,000 square foot creative hub located above the historic Smithfield Market in London’s Culture Mile.
During the residency, designers receive free studio space, more than 80 hours of business training, and direct mentorship from leading industry professionals. Participants also gain opportunities topresent their work to buyers and press, strengthening both their visibility and commercial readiness.
For Chido Kaseke, whose work celebrates Zimbabwean identity through bold, handcrafted accessories, the programme marks a significant step forward. PatCh Maokoe Zimbabwe has built a reputation for reimagining traditional materials and cultural motifs into contemporary statement pieces. Her practice balances heritage and modernity, placing Zimbabwean craftsmanship firmly within global fashion conversations.
Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield aims to strengthen designers’ expertise in sustainability, traditional craftsmanship and digital innovation. By combining travel, collaboration and structured business development, the programme equips participants with the tools to grow resilient, future-facing brands while staying rooted in their cultural contexts.
The initiative reflects a broader commitment to nurturing creative entrepreneurship across borders. Through international collaboration and shared learning, designers like Chido gain access not only to new markets, but to new ways of thinking about production, storytelling and long-term growth.
The designer's selection highlights Zimbabwe’s growing presence in global fashion networks and reinforces the importance of platforms that connect African designers to international ecosystems without diluting their identity or creative expression.
Chido Kaseke is a Zimbabwean accessory designer and Creative DNA Africa alumna. She is the founder of Patch Maokoe Zimbabwe, a brand known for handcrafted accessories that draw from Zimbabwean cultural heritage while embracing contemporary design. Her work champions local craftsmanship and storytelling through wearable art.