COLOURFUL overalls emblazoned with President Robert Mugabe’s signature are sending tongues wagging in the fashion industry, as the Zanu PF’s unofficial dress code gains popularity, especially among the party’s youths.
REPORT BY DALPHINE TAGWIREYI
Although designers of the Hovhorosi $tyle label said the overalls are meant to promote peace among the youth, some in the fashion industry believe they are meant to rebrand Mugabe ahead of elections, just like the similarly labelled t-shirts and berets.
The Hovhorosi $tyle label is now in competition with another Zanu PF linked House of Gushungo label, which also produces shirts and t-shirts emblazoned with Mugabe’s signature.
Designers James Pande and Herbert Huruba said the overalls were initially meant for delegates at the Zanu PF annual national people’s conference held in Gweru in December last year.
“What surprised us was the overwhelming orders and interest of people in the overalls,” said Huruba. “Hence we have started producing on a massive scale the overalls which are a one piece garment showing solidarity and unity.”
Huruba said the overalls, particularly the white-coloured ones, were now being marketed in other countries such as South Africa, under a campaign meant to promote peace in the region.
He said agents had been set up in Johannesburg and Cape-Town to market the overalls.
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“The overalls have received an overwhelming response especially the white ones which we branded as the peace campaign strategy,” said Huruba. “Orders have been pouring in. Currently we are seeking to fulfil an order we received from Scotland showing that we have gone platinum since our inception in the fashion industry.”
One has to fork out US$30 for the overalls, US$15 for the t-shirts, while berets are going for US$10.
Huruba said musician, Mixxy and Hovhorosi $tyle records have since produced a song titled, Hovhorosi $tlye, which praises Mugabe and promotes the new fashion trend.
Pande, who co-designed the overalls, said young people should “ruthlessly grab” opportunities that come their way.
He said while the project appeared to be praising Mugabe as a role model, youths should be peaceful and be wary of being used by political parties.
“Youths should be wary of being used as political condoms in the run up to the forthcoming elections, as they will be discarded without any significant help after being used by various political parties,” he said.
“As youths, we need to work together instead of pointing fingers at each other. We will not pave the way forward if we constantly label each other as Zanu PF or MDC because we are engaged in an economic war as the youth. Hence, we need two hands to clap as one hand cannot achieve that.”
Some people wear the Mugabe labels to social events such as soccer matches while others have the President’s signature on their car windows.
But critics say the label, which is sometimes worn with Zanu PF regalia such as berets, had an intimidatory effect on most Zimbabweans who endured violence in the hands of the former ruling party.
They said cars with Mugabe’s signature are rarely ticketed or stopped by police at roadblocks.
