Zimbabwe Fashion Week (ZFW) 2026 is expanding its programme beyond the runway, bringing a series of masterclasses, fireside discussions and industry conversations to The Venue in Avondale, Harare, from October 7 to 10.

Among the additions is a dedicated Skin Wellness Masterclass led by Pamhidzai Sahanga, affectionately known as ‘Nurse Pam‘, as ZFW places greater emphasis on health, skin integrity and runway readiness for its model team.

Sahanga, founder of Moyo Aesthetics, is a UK-registered nurse and Level 7 Harley Academy-trained Advanced Aesthetic Medicine Practitioner with more than a decade of clinical experience across dermatology, medical aesthetics and skin health.

Sharing with My Afrika Magazine, Sahanga spoke of how this partnership carries a personal connection for her;

“Moyo Aesthetics was founded by a Zimbabwean, and although our journey began in London, Zimbabwe has always been part of the brand’s identity. Partnering with Zimbabwe Fashion Week therefore felt very natural to us.” said Sahanga

She says the masterclass will connect fashion, beauty and skin health through a science-led approach, while addressing issues particularly relevant to skin of colour.

Rather than a conventional lecture, the session will be interactive, covering how to understand individual skin needs, make informed skincare and treatment choices, navigate online beauty trends and misinformation, and understand the relationship between lifestyle and skin health.

“We want the Skin Wellness Masterclass to feel very different from simply sitting and listening to someone talk about skincare. It will be interactive, practical and very much centred around the individual.“

“Guests can look forward to learning how to understand their own skin, identify what it actually needs and make better informed choices about treatments and skincare. We’ll be talking about common concerns, particularly those relevant to skin of colour, cutting through some of the misinformation and trends we see online, and looking at how lifestyle and overall wellness can affect the skin.” added Sahanga

Beyond the Skin Wellness session, ZFW 2026’s business programme will tackle some of the major questions shaping African fashion today.

The programme includes “Who Shapes Visibility for African Fashion?”, “Can African Fashion Build Its Own Luxury Market?”, and “What Will African Fashion Be Remembered For?”. Other discussions will explore “The Future African Designer: Beyond Aesthetics,” “African Fashion Beyond Trend Cycles – Technology/AI,” and the role of global fashion media.

Industry sessions will also examine “From Cotton to Collection: Rebuilding African Fashion Systems” and “Why Zimbabwe Matters Now,” while masterclasses will focus on preparing designers for international retail, building designer narratives that travel, and ethical production and sourcing.

With these conversations running alongside the main runway programme, ZFW 2026 is positioning itself as more than a showcase of clothing, creating space for conversations around the business, systems, wellbeing and future of African fashion.