Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe (FWZ) was created to support and increase the economic development of small businesses in the Fashion and Design sector. This year’s exciting lineup includes knowledge share through inspirational talks, workshops and fashion presentations:
Fashion and Design TEDxTalk
TED is a platform for ideas worth spreading. Started in 1984 as a conference where technology, entertainment and design converged, TED today shares ideas from a broad spectrum – from science to business to global issues – in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independent TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world. Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe is proud to be hosting a local 
TEDxTalk with influencel profiles in partnership with TEDxHarare. The goal is to bring three key speakers to discuss the future of Fashion and Design and the opportunities present for Zimbabwean Designers. This knowledge share we hope inspires design and opens new opportunities for the local sector. Join us
as they discuss their inspirations, stories and the Zimbabwean Fashion and Design Industry as a whole. Speakers include Jan Malan from South Africa, Africa’s most respected and known show producer. Jan conceptualized MNET Face of Africa with the first one held in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe in 1998. Diana Opoti from Kenya is the Ambassador of 100 days of African Fashion, and listed as Africa’s most influential people. From Zimbabwe Jeremy Youmans is the Director of Zimbabwe Clothing Manufactures Association Zimbabwe and has been influential in the resuscitation of the Clothing and Textiles industry. TEDxTalk will be held on the 10th October 2015 at 9am, entry $20.
Buyers Room Workshop
Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe has been actively engaged in the development of the fashion and design sector, through skills training and providing market access. We bring together two top Zimbabwean designers Pai Chideya of Demoyo and Danayi Chapfika of Haus of Stone, to discuss opportunities and challenges of reaching new markets and sustainable fashion. The workshop also includes Edmund Macheka and his team from Bravette, Truworths discussing quality assurance and standards they use to deliver quality designs. The workshop is open to the design industry (clothing, textiles, jewellery, crafters and basketry artisans) and covers topics such as markets, quality control and sustainable fashion. Buyers Room Workshop will be held on the 10th October 2015 at 11am, entry is free.
Opening Charity Cocktail
Each year Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe supports a charity during its opening cocktail. This year we are proud to be supporting Road Safe Zimbabwe, with 2% from our ticket sales from the Opening Charity Cocktail going towards ensuring safer roads. Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe will be pledging this profit to ensure continued safer crossing zones for children by donating these proceeds to lolly pop officers at school zones. Opening Cocktail will be held on the 9th October 2015 at 6.30pm, entry is $15.
Fashion Presentations
Designers are called and challenged to design a SS16 ready to wear collection that will be presented to an audience of 100 people. The presentation will be showcased to local buyers and customers. It is our hope that through this presentation designers build their client base and start actively utilizing platforms like Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe to build their business, and market share. Designers presenting from Zimbabwe include HARARE OG (Harare Originals), Eileen M Jewellery, Maison Du Style and Selly Raby Kane, Senegal will be the only showcasing international designer. The Fashion Presentations will be held on the 30th January 2016 as the second part of Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe to be held in 2016 from 5pm to 10pm, entry is $10.
