At this year’s Zimbabwe Fashion Week (ZFW) 2025, the intersection of fashion, music, and culture took center stage in a groundbreaking collaboration between earGROUND TV and Zimbabwe Fashion Week. The partnership, led by Plot Mhako (Founder & Chief Curator at earGROUND TV) and Priscilla Chigariro (Founder & Executive Producer of ZFW), with creative contributions from designers like Segulm, showcased a new era of cross-disciplinary innovation redefining Zimbabwe’s cultural landscape.

When asked what inspired him to curate the collective for ZFW 2025, Plot Mhako explained:

“Our collection was inspired by the intersection between fashion, music, and culture—three creative worlds that continue to influence and elevate each other. Fashion plays a crucial role in shaping the identity and image of artists, both on and off the stage. In Zimbabwe, designers like Segulm and George Takora have been instrumental in redefining this relationship.”

Mhako pointed to the impact of designers who merge style and sound: “Segulm, for example, has dressed artists such as Holy Ten and Kae Chaps, bringing a bold, urban edge to their visual aesthetics that perfectly complements their music. Similarly, George Takora has styled performers like Hope Masike, Mary Anibal, and Feli Nandi, giving them a sleek, Afro-luxury look that bridges contemporary streetwear with high-end couture.”

For Mhako, this synergy between music and fashion fuels creativity and economic growth.

“These collaborations between designers and musicians not only amplify the visibility of local fashion brands but also expand the creative economy by merging artistic disciplines. That dynamic energy is exactly what inspired us to curate this collective for Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2025.”

Speaking about the motivation behind the collaboration, Priscilla Chigariro said:

“The collaboration with earGROUND was driven by a shared commitment to uncovering and nurturing Zimbabwe’s hidden creative talent. Earground has access to vibrant communities that ZFW has not yet fully reached—spaces where raw creativity and untold stories thrive. For ZFW 2025, I wanted to ensure that our platform didn’t only highlight established names, but also made a deliberate effort to discover and amplify new voices.”

Mhako revealed that the selection process focused on innovation and cultural influence: “We looked for designers who are pushing creative boundaries—those with distinctive, innovative aesthetics and a track record of collaborating with musicians and cultural influencers. Our goal was to spotlight creatives who are not confined to the runway but are actively shaping pop culture through styling, costume design, and visual storytelling.”

He added: “Designers like Segulm, known for fusing streetwear and fine tailoring, and George Takora, whose pieces embody elegance and Afrofuturism, perfectly fit this vision. Their work speaks to a new generation of artists and audiences who see fashion as an extension of their identity.”

Representing the new wave of fashion innovators, Segulm, one of the standout designers at ZFW 2025, shared his creative motivation:

“What motivated my design/creative runway style at ZFW25 is firstly just seizing the opportunity to participate on such a grand platform and it’s all about pushing the creative envelope for purpose. Creating fashion designs using home-grown materials. It’s about standing for creativity without compromise, roots without apology, and dreams without fear. Representing the youth who are done waiting for permission to be great.”

Reflecting on the success of this year’s edition, Mhako shared: “This year’s Zimbabwe Fashion Week was epic, memorable, and truly impactful. It celebrated not only the artistry of local designers but also the evolution of Zimbabwean fashion as a global cultural force. The event brought together creative minds from different industries—music, visual arts, and media—showing just how interconnected and powerful our creative sectors are when they collaborate.”

He emphasized that this year marked a turning point for Zimbabwean fashion:

“For us, it reaffirmed that Zimbabwe’s fashion industry is at a turning point, with young designers and stylists now commanding attention regionally and internationally.”

Mhako confirmed that the partnership between earGROUND and ZFW will continue:

“Yes, absolutely. We definitely envision earGROUND continuing and expanding this collaboration with Zimbabwe Fashion Week in the future—bigger, bolder, and more integrated. Our goal is to strengthen the bridge between fashion and music by creating more opportunities for designers and artists to co-create. Next year, we hope to explore music-led fashion showcases, behind-the-scenes style documentaries, and pop-up collaborations that further highlight the synergy between sound, style, and storytelling.”

Priscilla added that the partnership with Mhako was both strategic and personal:

“Earground, true to its name, has its ear to the ground and has consistently identified emerging creatives who deserve visibility. Its founder, Plot Mhako, is not only a good friend but also a valued member of the ZFW Board whose vision for community development closely aligns with mine. Together, this partnership allows us to bridge gaps, celebrate diversity, and expand the reach and impact of Zimbabwean fashion.”

The collaboration between earGROUND TV, Zimbabwe Fashion Week, and visionary designers like Segulm signals a powerful new chapter for Zimbabwe’s creative economy. By merging music and fashion, the partnership has redefined what cultural expression can look like, bold, authentic, and unapologetically African.

As Zimbabwe’s fashion industry continues to rise, one thing is clear: the fusion of sound, style, and storytelling is more than a trend, it’s the heartbeat of a creative revolution.