This Year’sFashion Weekend Zimbabwe Gets Behind Child Road Safety

In a bid to promote the safety of children crossing busy roads on their way to school, this year’s annual Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe will donate part of the proceeds of their event to Road Safe Zimbabwe (RSZ) in support of safer school zones.

Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe (FWZ) – which is scheduled for Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October at Arundel Village – will contribute part of the proceeds from the opening cocktail towards the road safety initiative. “Two percent of our ticket sales from the opening cocktail will go towards safer roads. We will be pledging this profit towards the creation of safer crossing zones at areas around schools,” explains Shamiso Catherine Ruzvidzo, FWZ creative executive director.

The two organisations will also host an awareness drive during the same opening cocktail. Sam Nyaude, deputy director of operations at Road Safe Zimbabwe said, “Our campaign aims to make attendees aware that we can all individually do something to improve road safety in Zimbabwe. We will have a pledge board to demand road safety priority in Zimbabwe.”

FWZ is a platform created to support and increase the economic development of small business in the fashion and design sector. This year’s theme, Inspiring new directions: Enhancing the business of fashion and design includes knowledge-sharing through inspirational talks, workshops and fashion presentations. Ruzvidzo said, “We are proud to be hosting a local TEDx Talk with influential profiles in partnership with TEDx Harare. The goal is to bring three key speakers to discuss the future of fashion and design and the opportunities present for Zimbabwean Designers.”Speakers include Jan Malan (South Africa), Diana Opoti (Kenya) and from Zimbabwe Jeremy Youmans, the director of Zimbabwe Clothing Manufacturers Association.

Fashion Weekend will also feature a Buyer’s Room Workshop where organisers have invited two top local designers, Pai Chideya of De Moyo and Danayi Chapfika of Haus of Stone, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of reaching new markets. “Selly Raby Kane and Victorine Sarr from Senegal, will join the workshop to discuss their journey in the design sector and how the Senegalese industry is adapting to the new demands being placed on African fashion,” said Ruzvidzo. The workshop is open to the design industry (clothing, textiles, jewellery, crafters and basketry artisans) and covers topics such as markets, quality control and sustainable fashion.

Designers this year are challenged to design a ready-to-wear collection that will be presented to an audience of 100 people. “The presentation will be a showcase for local buyers and customers. It is our hope that through this presentation, designers will build their client base and start actively utilising platforms like FWZ to build their business and market share,” said Ruzvidzo.

Local designers presenting include Harare Originals, David Alford, Iara For Him, Lady Targareyn, Eileen M Jewellery, and Maison Du Style. Selly Raby Kane (Senegal) will be the only showcased international designer.

For more information visit: www.fashionweekendzim.com or contact info@fashionweekendzim.com, Tel: +263 777056 702

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