It was a vibrant week for the fashion sector in Bulawayo, famously known as the City of Kings and Queens, as fashion enthusiasts gathered at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe for the Creative DNA Zimbabwe Fashion Masterclass. The event was hosted by the British Council in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe.

The Creative DNA programme, which runs from April to June 2025, is a British Council fashion initiative operating across Africa. It officially launched in Zimbabwe in March.

Creative DNA aims to showcase the Zimbabwean fashion sector as a viable and rewarding career path for young people and as a significant contributor to the creative economy. The programme offers business accelerator programmes, design think tanks, showcasing and exhibition opportunities, as well as grants for emerging designers.

The week’s activities included both physical and virtual sessions. On April 23, the Business Accelerator session was hosted by Tariro Mhuka from Global Chartered Accountants, focusing on applying control measures, budgeting, and financial management. Participants learned how to create realistic budgets and apply financial controls in their businesses.

On April 24, a Masterclass titled Unlocking Trade and Export Opportunities for Zimbabwean Creatives was delivered by Candy Banda, a seasoned relationship manager at DHL Express.

The following day, multi-award-winning visual artist and printmaking expert, Masimba Hwati, led a session called The Fabric of Fashion. Hwati shared techniques in collagraphy and printmaking tailored specifically for fashion and textile design.

Other Masterclasses included sessions by Nka Malunga, who spoke on dye printing techniques, and Pedzisai Chimbwanda, who facilitated a workshop on crafting effective pitch decks for creatives.

The event concluded on the evening of April 25 with a Creative Concert hosted by the British Council and the U.S. Embassy. Local artists, including Asaph, Noluntu, and Indigo Saint, entertained the audience with music and spoken word performances, marking a lively end to an enriching programme.