Opinion By Chiedza Makucha & Tapiwa Rubaya

The cancellation of Zimbabwe Fashion Week has brought to light the struggles facing the country’s fashion industry. To revive this sector, it’s essential to address key challenges and leverage local resources.

The decline of legacy companies like Cottco, David Whitehead, and Bata has deprived the industry of potential funding. Revitalizing these companies is crucial for sustained growth.

Zimbabwe’s fashion market is dominated by fast fashion and small boutiques, with most clothing imported from Zambia, Tanzania, China, and Turkey. This trend stifles local design talent, limits industry development, and reduces job creation opportunities.

To establish a thriving fashion industry, Zimbabwe must support local designers and manufacturers, encourage partnerships between legacy companies and emerging designers, and invest in skills development programs.

Zimbabwe Fashion Week can explore alternative revenue streams through quarterly fashion workshops, mini-exhibitions, collaborations with local designers, and online events. Establishing a fixed annual schedule for Zimbabwe Fashion Week would create clarity and build anticipation. Harare and Bulawayo, with their rich cultural heritage, are ideal venues for arts and fashion events, unlike Victoria Falls, which is primarily a tourism hub.

Revitalizing Zimbabwe’s fashion industry will require collaboration from stakeholders, government support for local manufacturers, and a focus on sustainability. Embracing these strategies will allow Zimbabwe to rebuild its fashion industry, showcase local talent, and create a thriving, self-sustaining market.

The cancellation of Zimbabwe Fashion Week serves as a wake-up call. Now is the time for stakeholders to join forces and rejuvenate the industry.