By Tawanda Ngena
Preparations for the inaugural November Annual Fashion Show and Lifestyle Expo (NAFS) which is set to take place at the Harare Gardens and will explode into life from 11-13 November are at an advanced stage.The expo will run under the theme 'embracing culture' and the Guest of Honour will be Honourable A. Mnangagwa (MP), the Patron for Zimbabwe Youth in Tourism.
Some of the fashion houses partaking in the event (NAFS 2016 Fashion and life style Expo) include Nandi fashions, Menana fashions, Mwai from Malawi , Indra from Zambia , Harare Polytechnic ,Maybe Fatima , House of Kiyani, Cindy fashions, brands Patrice and Ingwe and ofcourse, JAN JAM.
According to one of the coordinators of the event, Knowledge Chaumba, NAFS November Annual Fashion Show is the brain child of Zimbeyond Trust and its relevant partners. Having taken part in a handful of fashion shows, exhibitions other fashion related seminars, Zimbeyond Trust came to the conclusion that 'un-shelling' a fashion expo of its own would be a good gesture.
Taking a cue from other regional and international fashion shows, and the growing interest in fashion globally, It is said that research into African fashion trends, origins and societal influence by NAFS made it possible and pertinent to create a fashion expo that would go a long way in bring more than just an 'eye opener'.
NAFS seeks to educate about the origins, diversity, influence and the ever evolving fashion of the continent and beyond .This year the main focus is Africa.
"The preparations for NAFS have been hectic considering the economic environment and the cash crisis. It has taken a lot of sweat and blood to arrive to where we are now but that is not to say we can not come out and have fun while celebrating African culture!
"We have a large unity of designers, hair dressers and people in the arts and crafts and corporates world. We have the likes of Richie Orange and Black Sight gracing the event, 20 designers, 15 local and 5 international designers and 20 models on the runway", said Chaumba
Chaumba, who himself is a former actor, a model and once worked with quite a number of advertising agencies locally, said that the plan is to be one of the main festivals on the local and international calendar.
" We want to make it an annual event to take it beyond our borders and make it a program of the fashion industry calendar", he said
The NAFS event coordinator said that they chose to host the expo during this time of the year because It’s the month that people start preparing for the festive season, most importantly, Christmas. It is during this time that everyone wants to look the part and so they start shopping around for the latest trends in November.
November however, does not only come with the cheers and expection for the festive season up ahead but it is also the start if the rainy season and is every promoter's nightmare during this time of the year as it dampens most outdoor outings.
"Well as it stands we are hoping the heavens will smile down on us and that we will have good weathe, a well-attended expo and an exciting atmosphere in which to celebrate our own African culture under", he said.
Below is background information on NAFS and its mission statement;
Why Fashion an Expo on Fashion?
Fashion as we know has the ability to transform a society. It speaks a language audible where voices are unable to speak, it unites or divides cultures. An individual’s thinking, behavioral trend and spiritual inspiration is expressed by the different Fashionable garments one chooses to wear
NAFS as a body has taken a keen interest in exploring the cultural symbols of fashion not only the nominal perception that people have on fashion but rather to act as an eye opener to its origins and its people as a whole.
As a people we derive our inspiration and gather our confidence from the colors we put on our clothing onto our bodies. Our sovereignty is symbolized on cloth eg National flags of every sovereign state in the world. Colors of a people’s autonomy are seen and read on cloth.
Ancient fashion and its evolution
Several ethnicities, nationalities and sub-communities have carried their fashion trends from century to century, generation to generation and have moved with times without deviating from the origin of their culture, hence they are carrying into tomorrow their fashion for their tomorrows people.
As we acknowledge technology fashion and music have intertwined themselves. From the sixties rock and funk cultures really influenced the young and middle aged of Western Europe and the Americas through idols such as Elvis Presley, Willson Picket and Dobbie Grey, Harry BelaFonte, Bob Dylan and the Jackson 5.
They brought a fashion trend so interesting it also revolutionized culture, belly bottom, high heeled leather shoes, thick belts, then the late seventies they brought a soul culture accompanied by a soul culture known as Motown and the Jackson 5, Tinna Turner, Diana Ross, Madonna brought a style of dress, then came the wild years of the 80s.
The hairstyle such as the mowhawken, straight perm, skinny jeans, it was a trend that also influenced the surrounding worlds free or independent. As modernization came so did a new interest in clothing patterns “as NAFS we aim to unearth them and explore them leaving with the inclusion of lifestyle which the Fashion influenced”.
Foreign occupation also brought about fashion trends as new civilizations were brought upon the occupied societies e.g. the Buganda of Uganda once wore a colorful kilt like dress e.g. the Acholi, lango etc. In the colonial error of the British English dressing House of Lords wigs, shirts , trousers, pants , ladies dress, court shoes . Other bantu tribes were equally affected the Vasena, by the Portuguese occupiers.
FASHION AND RELIGION
Religious groups have been defined or identified by certain dress codes. These groups and communities have often been associated with a certain lifestyle culminating from symbolic emblems for example Islamic faith that originated from Arabia Gulf Pennisula Middle East and the north of Africa. Dress has played a pivotal role in furthering the growth of Islam into the north of the Sahara.
The Rastafarian community of the Caribbean is also among the most influenced by fashion, as a community with its beliefs it is easily identified by its fashion of colors and symbols.
The Hindu community likewise is also identified by its dress that stands out, their colors and patterns make them recognizable over a long period of time the Hindu have easily found an identity in their colors clothing, The same goes for Buddhists.
MAKE UP OF NAFS AND TARGET MARKET
NAFS calls upon corporate captains of the industry, fashion designers, fashion enthusiasts, models of all categories other nationals through consulates and the general populace to come and experience with us the goodness, the beauty, richness and dazzling fashion lifestyle advancements of our region and beyond.
Scholars and intellectuals of various walks of life to come and share as well as learn more about the cultures, potential exhibitors from all walks of life ranging from advertisers marketers ,caterers, distributors and a whole lot more .
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