Zim designers at SA Menswear Week

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Award-winning local fashion designers — Ara Kani and Kidd Hunta — showcased their talent at the annual South African Menswear Week which started in Cape Town from Thursday and ended yesterday.

Award-winning local fashion designers — Ara Kani and Kidd Hunta — showcased their talent at the annual South African Menswear Week which started in Cape Town from Thursday and ended yesterday.

BY SHARON SIBINDI

The Zimbabwean duo was among 35 garment makers drawn from across Africa who gathered in the Mother City for the three-day fashion show.

Facilitated by Hunnar Management Agency, Ara Kani’s collection addressed social issues, such as mental health and depression. Hunnar Management Agency also facilitated for American-based designer — League of Rebels — headed by Musa Ato who were making their African debut.

Designer Nkululeko Ncube of Ara Kani said their designs were inspired by a society that has lots of issues. He said art could be used to communicate these messages to the world.

“It is not only about having fancy clothes on the runway or in your studio. It’s about the message your art and products carry,” Ncube said.

“We cannot ignore the fact that we live in a society that has a lot of issues. Our responsibility as creatives is to become the voice and use our art to communicate messages to the world.”

South African Menswear Week is Africa’s only stand-alone platform dedicated to the development and promotion of menswear within the African continent. Taking place twice a year in Cape Town, South African Menswear Week aims to provide a world-class platform for menswear designers and brands to showcase their latest collections.

Hunnar Management Agency were the most outstanding fashion designers across the globe.

“We at Hunnar Management Agency are excited to work with some of the most outstanding fashion designers from across the globe. Ara Kani has always been an outstanding fashion designer, whose voice in the fashion industry, stands firm. Through the Mandela Washington Fellowship, we met with Ato who is a Nigerian designer based in Texas, US and we facilitated for the brand — League of Rebels — to showcase at this year’s South African Menswear Week,” said Charlotte Sengu, Hunnar management representative.

Another Zimbabwean fashionista and radio personality Gilmore Tee was the master of ceremonies and voice over host for the fashion show this year.