Droves of fashion enthusiasts thronged to New Government Complex for the premier fashion event, Zambia Fashion Week 2017. The three day event started on Thursday 19th October and had its finale on the 21st.
The Zambian Fashion week is a tremendous help to the countries fashion industry as it highlights the best of the best and give a chance for the upcoming designers showcase their work to the masses. This years event was a huge success with more than 30 talented local designers getting the opportunity to showcase their collections. This years theme was “Beyond Reality”.
The main sponsors of the event were Vodafone and Fortress media. Other sponsors included Zanaco, Mahogany air, Soft n free, National Arts council, National milling, Alliance Francaise, Post.Net, Super Java, among others.
Every year, the Zambia Fashion week invites an established designer from the region to experience the Zambian fashion scene first hand and also impart some knowledge on upcoming Zambian designers. This years’ guest designer was Khosi Nkosi.
Khosi Nkosi is a fashion brand which was established in 2008. The brands customers are described as a “strong modern, worldly, nubile woman that loves and respects herself and pays attention to detail. Renowned actress, Jessica Nkosi is the brand ambassador. She was also in attendance at the Zambian Fashion week and modeled an outfit by Zambian designer Chisoma Lombe (Chizo Designs). Khosi Nkosi’s collection had beautiful models in all shapes and sizes most to the delight of the audience.
I had the pleasure of attending the main event of the 2017 edition of Zambia fashion week. A good number of Zambia’s top talented local designers showcased their unique, creative collections. All the designer brought out their best ,but the top 3, in my opinion, were : Lusungu Mudondo (Miss Lu) , Vonneta Simpamba (House of Vo) and Mweene Kalipinde (Mweene Fashion House)
Lusungu Mudundo was seemingly the crowds favorite as her collection got the loudest applause of the night. She also won Vodafone Challenge. Which pitted the local designers against each other to come up with the most creative outfit using only the official Vodafone colors ,red and White.
Mweene Kalipinde was also impressive. Her theme ‘Joseph and his coat of many colors’ wowed the crowd.
The Chinese embassy displayed some contemporary Chinese designs too. The embassy also sponsored 8 local models to attend next years Chinese new year fashion show.
Other designers of the night were: Kabaso Nkanda (Nkanda Yatu), Chisoma Lombe (Chizo Designs), Nada (Nada Fashions), Charity Nyirongo (Mo Creations & Couture), Nelly Chama (House of Ynell), Towani Clarke (Kutowa), Kasonde Nkole (Kasslita designs), Thandiwe Alifo, Petros Giannakakos , Varinder Virdy (Kaur Fashion).
Super Java had a competition for upcoming designers. The winners were Duncan Kanyembo (Blink Designs), Kabaso Nkanda (Nkanda Yatu), Yve katongo.
A glimpse at some of the outfits showcased by the designers :
Collection By Mweene Kalipinde (Mweene fashion house)
Collection By Vonnetta Simpamba (House of Vo)
Collection by Khosi Nkosi
Collection By Lusungu Mudondo (Miss Lu)
Collection By Thandiwe Alifo
Collection By Nada
Collection By Teta Vundamina
Collection By Sarah Manjungu
Collection By Petros Giannakakis
Collection By Yve Katongo
This year event was a immensely successful.
For more photos and videos from Zambia Fashion Week 2017, follow Fortress Media and Zambia Fashion Week on Facebook.
BY KAPA187
Mostly for pregnant women. nice african prints. thanks.
Try to develop African fabrics too.
Imitation can never surpass the original.
nice show!!!! to the organizers please bring the show to Ndola too.Venue..New Protea hotel or Urban Hotel. we also want to watch those legs..very very mmmm….still typing…..
@2 THE BEST WAY TO PUT IT IS THAT THE ORGANISERS SHOULD PROMOTE DISTRICT SHOWS WHERE THEY SELECT PROVINCIAL WINNERS FROM WHOM THEY SHOULD CHOOSE NATIONAL COMPETITION CONTESTANTS. IF EVERYTHING IS JUST GOING TO BE HAPPENING IN LUSAKA, THERE SHALL BE NOT DEVELOPMENT IN OTHER TOWNS OF ZAMBIA.
…FASHION IS A MULTI-BILLION BUSINESS AND IT SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED IN EVERY CORNER OF ZAMBIA. IN TURN THIS ENCOURAGEMENT SHOULD SUPPORT THE LOCAL FABRICS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AS WELL AS COTTON-GROWING THAT FEED THE CLOTH MANUFACTURING, ETC. BUT, I SUPPORT YOUR SUGGESTION FOR LOCAL FABRIC MANUFACTURING. HOWEVER, TO AN APPRECIABLE EXTENT THE SHOW REFLECTED LOCAL FABRICS. OR SHOULD I SAY AFRICAN FABRICS.
Last 2 photos, those chaps seem confused about their gender. Homo in the name of fashion. Overall great clothing except those two last ones
I don’t know hey. This event has been the same for the last few years. There’s nothing new there. Its the fashion industry so I’m expecting dynamic thinking, trendy, up to the minute ideas but nikisi. And Lonah Shawa … I’m seeing her age right before my eyes modelling in Zambia and failing to raise the standards of her industry or flourish enough to make it outside Zambia. A mediocre event for an even more mediocre country.
Gary
I thought it was just me but i think they look stupid.
Does fashion imply nakedness? Most of the attires here can never be accepted in both the corporate houses and market places. No teacher can wear this and be allowed teach children. Most of these are night club clothes. Is this our identity as a nation, being portrayed in these clothes? If these designers can do nice chitenge shirts, trousers, dresses for adults and children they would attract great numbers of customers. When doing these things we should think of how to compete with foreigner designers whose clothes are dominating our boutiques and shops. Our focus should be to have Zambians wear Zambian even in offices. After wasting time and resources like this then one begins to blame government for unemployment.
Have you ever watched fashion tv? ati no teacher can wear this….smh..pena mwankala chabe zee and let those who know talk.
kkkkkkk, kwati vinyau.
Excellent pics.. daring or outlandish outfits but still a good number that can be worn to evening functions and parties.. Keep at it!
We are trying but we need to portray our Zambian culture as much as possible. We will get there if we continue thinking creatively
Keep up the good work, wonderful display of creativity and wide range of outfits meeting world class standards.
And the mentally colonised Zambian men? Arent there Zambian fashions for men? No wonder Zambian men seem to think African fashions are for women.
I am baffled – where is Iris with her nude real African paintings? That could have added colour to the occasion!
There is indeed a lot potential for GDP in the Fashion industry.
The best Designs here are by Petros Giannakakis whose use of our traditional African Fabrics is the right sort of design this industry needs. It must be Zambian/African centric. The Male fashions here are very creative and again use African print.
But, the other Designers are predominately intent on copying tatty Western wear ( from the school of clingy Lycra). Those are not Designers but Wannabe’s.
The Male fashions here are very creative and again use African print.
Collection By Teta Vundamina. Good work.
Artistic stuff pa zed…keep it up !!!!