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THE BATSWANA AND ZIMBABWEAN HUNKS TO CATWALK AT MFDW SPRING/SUMMER COLLECTION 2019.

 It's only month away for the 3rd edition of the  Mpumalanga Fashion and Design Week to resume with models from Botswana and Zimbabwe.We profile  two models from Zimbabwe and Botswana respectively,who will be catwalking at Mpumalanga Fashion and Design Week on the 3rd -4th of May.Get to know what their thoughts are when it comes to the Mpumalanga Fashion and Design Week.

Edison Thato Diako (25)

Nationality: Motswana

POB: Maun, Botswana

Interests: Reading, Political Science, Basketball, Tennis & SCI-FI. 

Previous shows; FWB, Global Expo: The Ramp.

Visuals: Appeared as a muse on several articles & campaigns including   RAYMOND + GEOFREY narratives of black skin stories. 

Success

In an industry and age where beauty has been defined as one but not the other, it has been a battle discovering and defining _"a beautiful me."_ My greatest success was finding beauty in my own black skin. Ever since i got that revelation i have been telling visual narratives of my black people. 

2019 projects to look forward to.

1. Mpumalanga Fashion Week 

2. Maun Fashion Week

3. EYE BLACK; a visual exhibition narrative of what it feels and looks like to be black. It will be on display at Nhabe museum later this year.

One model I am always looking forward to working with? 

Shadel Nobel, obviously. He's a fellow AMMFI International Model and a close friend. 

What am I bringing to the fashion week?

Magic. Experience. Authenticity.

 Katlego Banyatsi 

Nationality:Botswana 

Interests:Working Out,

Katlego Denzel Banyatsi,I go by the name Denzel Banya when in runway as it is easy to spell and also to pronounce. 

I am currently both  commercial model and a runway who is signed under X models agent which is based in Botswana. 

I have appeared in a number of commercial adverts such include:Stanbic;Bud Weiser,JB Sports;Orange,4th Street. 

Also I have catwalked for the Fashion Without Borders Show (FWB); Presidential Competition,Mpumalanga Fashion and Design Show,Masa Fashion Show,Debswana Fashion Fund show. 

In addition to my profile I am an ambassador for Herbalife. 

David Beckham is my role model in my modelling career. I am looking forward in attending the Mpumalanga Fashion and Design week this year,as I am hoping to exchange some modelling ideas with my counterparts.

 Shadel Noble

Nationality:Zimbabwean 

P.O.B:Bulawayo ,Zimbabwe 

Interests: Basketball, Swimming

Previous Shows:Intwasa Fashion Show,SADC Fashion Week,Eswatini Fashion Show, FDW,Fashion Fights cancer,Clix Fashion Show,Scarless Fashion Show,Ekuruleni Fashion Show,The Mayor's Fashion Show,SA Mens Fashion Show,Mpumalanga Fashion and Design Week Fashion show. 

Success:

Recognition is one of the most important things when it comes to the industry. Whenever I  get an opportunity to be recognised and win any award or title.I feel blessed and thank God for every opportunity that He has provided me to showcase the talent within me. 

Becoming a brand ambassador for the AMFFI has been a great opportunity given to me and also being the out going Mr Zimbabwe its indeed a success in my life and not forgetting other awards I have won since my journey began.

Visuals:Appeared in several magazines including '.......' and also in Edgars mag and their commercial billabords.

2019 Projects 

1:Mpumalanga Fashion and Design Week 

One model I am looking forward to work with :

Its not one actually I am looking forward to meet everyone.

What am I bringing to the show?

Come and you will see for yourself.

Tinashe Vasco Augushito 

Nationality:Zimbabwean 

I am a stylist and a freelance model. You can simply call me 'Jack of all trades'. 

For I am also a choreographer,chef,fashionista,vocalist and a fitness trainer in making.

Currently I am studying Fashion Designing and Tailoring in South Africa .

In 2010 that's when I joined the modelling industry.In 2017 I was nominated in Zimbabwe Models Awards under the following categories:Best Fashion;Photogenic model.

Also I have been a judge in a number of fashion shows in South Africa such as Greater Middleburg' radio station's modelling show last year.

By Tapiwa Rubaya 

LATIN FRIDAYS SHOW BRANCHES OUT TO SA.

Nikki van Biljon aka NV The Jeweller and her mother Nardine Francisco launched one of the most vibrate and most unique show in Harare prominently know as the Latin Fridays.

With the first event of the Latin Fridays show was hosted at Newlands (Harare) and then later moved to Avondale (Harare).

The show has been an attraction to both local fashion lovers and international tourist in Zimbabwe.

The Latin Fridays show is set to expand its wings to SA. 

Nikkie who is the patron of the show  is currently residing in SA. She told Aftv that the a new branch of the Latin Fridays will be launched in South Africa. 

This will be a way to promote Zimbabwean models who are based in South Africa and to create relationship between the two countries especially in the fashion industry. 

She however promised that there won't be any shutdown of the current Latin Fridays fashion show that is taking place in Zimbabwe. 

" I've decided to branch out as I've relocated permanently to  South Africa to launch Latin Friday South Africa, however  Latin Friday Zimbabwe will never stop actually we have a show coming up in June something that nobody should miss at all its bigger and better with every show new designers new material new artists performing too,"Nikki explained.

She further made it clear that the show in SA is set aside to promote the image of Zimbabwean models based in SA but at the same time  South African models will be welcomed to take part in  the show.

" We will have Zimbabwean models that have relocated to SA taking part and some SA models too,"said Nikki.

The patron of the Latin Friday shows said she was happy with the progress that they have made in Zimbabwe and is looking forward for that progress to double up in South Africa. 

Nikki van Biljon aka NV The Jeweller is a 35 year old Jeweller, fashion designer, events manager. 

Who started her company Nix and Sam in 2010 along with her friend Sammy Rodrick . 

Successful they managed to be awarded the best accessories designer of they during Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2015.However Nikki branched out and established Envy by NV clothing which focuses mainly in Hiphop wear and caps. 

By Tapiwa Rubaya 

 

 

TIPS ON HOW TO ACHIEVE IN FASHION INDUSTRY WITH MUNYARADZI CHIHUNGWA.

"Most people fail to achieve in live because of the falacy that they are still young and have time to spare"-Munya
You might wonder how one manages to be a fashion show organiser in this day and age. Munyaradzi Chihungwa has all the answers for you,in an interview with Munya Chiyan the founder of Harare fashion Week tells us how he managed to give birth to one of the successful fashion shows in Zimbabwe .He also gives us words of wisdom on how to achieve in life.

TR:Munya you are the brandchild of the brand Harare Fashion Week. How did it all started.

MC:The idea behind HFW started in the winter of the year 2017 amidst a conversation. I was having with two designer friends who were both searching for a platform to showcase their seasonal collections. They had settled in their minds to join funds and head to a foreign country only for an opportunity to showcase their collections. 

This puzzled me to think that here were (in my own eyes) two of the finest male designers in the country but they had no place or opportunity to showcase their collections in their own homeland.

 On my way home that Saturday I started to picture in my mind a show that would truly benefit the designer, a platform not only for my friends but rather for all Zimbabwean designers who suffered the same conundrum.

 A week went by and the idea was still fresh in mind, I had started taking notes from my imagination straight into my notebook. Once it was on note I started researching, googling, and scavenging information about all other shows that had come and gone, their strengths, their failures and everything inbetween up until I created a blue print that was so strong it had to became reality.

 No matter how perfect I thought my blueprint was,I paid the price of sleepless nights, rejected proposals, Reschedulings and many other speed hump until on the 15th of December 2017, 'WE' had the first Harare fashion week. (Note I say 'We' because the ultimate realisation wasn't the effort of a single person but rather that of several induviduals that had one goal. Our goal was simply, "to provide a platform for local designers to showcase their creativity to local and foreign fashion buyers".

In the fashion world you deal with a lot of people, and a lot of egos.

TR:Tell us about the first event that the Harare Fashion Week hosted?

MC:Our first event was a show themed ' Alive', it was hosted at News cafe in Borrowdale. This show was our baptism into the fashion showcasing industry, we became more alive after this show than we had ever been, it was an eye opening experience, and a realisation of a dream. 

We learnt a good lesson from the show, and we celebrate that we achieved our main aim and showed that fashion is alive in Zimbabwe. We hosted just over 80 fashion and food lovers. It was an exchange of fashion and food due to the nature of our venue.

 We were honoured to showcase some of the finest designers in Zimbabwe at our first show, we were also graced by Karen of Top model, and Mimi the blogger just to name a few. The featured brands include; Tapfumanei Munenge cotoure, KudaSeven, Military touch, Bahia Luz, Dutchess by Denise, Face of Africa, and Petrease.

The highlight of this show was the debut showcase of Thembelani Mubochwa's Military touch collection.

TR:During the first event what challenges did you face and how did you manage to pass through them?

MC: Our main challenge was getting a venue, this led to a delay in our advertisements and everything else that followed. We were finally bailed out by way of Sponsorship which came from Newscafe.

 

TR:There are few,young gentlemen in Zimbabwe who can come up with such a brand. What's your take about young men like yourself getting involved in unisex fashion events?

MC: I understand where you are coming from when you call me, "young", however in Africa/ Zimbabwe most potential achievers are in a comfort zone called being young, let's call it the'-I-have-time-syndrome'. 

Most people fail to achieve in live because of the falacy that they are still young and have time to spare.

 I have made a personal decision to refuse that I have time to spare and this has become the driving force that stops me from watching TV and chilling with the friends, this force wakes me up in the middle of the night and pushes me to work! HFW takes my time, it's had me sleeping 3/2 hours at times, it's a struggle and I had to come out of my comfort zone to attain the vision. 

So my take with so called young people, is they should be ready to leave their comfort zone. They should be ready to make sacrifices, they should be ready to take out a loan and pay for loses just so they fulfil their promise and protect their honour. 

They should be ready to be professional, to make decisions, and to deal with the consiquence of those decisions. 

In the fashion world you deal with a lot of people, and a lot of egos. You should stay humble and be the level headed one if you are going to see any successful fashion event through. The best selling book in the world has it somewhere between its chapters that, "in the multitude of counsellors there is safety", these wise words have prompted me to creating a round table of advisors that help me to see aspects of the situation which I'm blinded from seeing due to my attachment to the project. I therefore recommend constantly seeking council and having an ever learning attitude towards life. If you mess up acknowledge it, correct it and quickly move on.

TR:Many brands have been showcased across the Harare Fashion Week who are some of those brands?

MC:Some of the brands we have showcased under HFW include; Zuvva, Zargusia, KudaSeven, Military touch by Thembalani Mubochwa, Bahia Luz, Empress Primy designs, and many more.

TR:When one takes a look at Harare Fashion week,it's a platform that has given models from outside the province of Harare to showcase their talents.

MC:Harare Fashion Week  is designed at a blueprint level to cater not only for local provinces but for the rest of Africa, that's why we involve all Africans.

 The Nomenclature of international Fashion weeks around the world has them named after a city whilst they represent entire countries, and regions crossing national border lines. An example of this is one of the four fashion capitals of the world; Paris Fashion week which has international involvement from designer levels, down to models yet it's name is a specific city.

TR:Where do you place yourself in  Zimbabwe's fashion industry's future ?

MC: I see myself at the helm of the fashion industry as the Minister of fashion in Zimbabwe.

TR:This year what should we expect from your brand the Harare Fashion Week?

MC:This year HFW is scheduled for the month of August, venue and dates are yet to be confirmed. This show will be our fourth show since 2017, as well as the only show for the year 2019. This year we are focused on improving product quality, maximising productive efficiency, enhancing market penetration, and increasing competitiveness of our product on both the local and regional market. We intend to involve more coporates and we shall be more formal in our approach except for the closing show where we will stick to tradition and give fashion lovers the glitz and the glam they are used to.

TR:Any words of wisdom to some young gentleman who look up to you? 

MC. I would encourage those that look up to me to Stay humble, an think!

By Tapiwa Rubaya

 

WELSH THE STYLIST CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY IN STYLE

 When one turns a year old people expect one to loss their style,but its not the same with Zimbabwe's award winning fashion stylist, Welsh The Stylist. He turned 31 this month and he keeps looking younger and sexy.  

Welsh The Stylist is an award winning fashion stylist and had been nominated for his modelling talent. In an interview as we celebrate his birthday, we talk to Welsh about fashion and his new EP 'Fashion Meets Music.

Q:Happy belated birthday Welsh.What does  it mean to you to have another year added to you in your 30s?

A:Thank you very much,it means more wisdom in my life because it’s not by Mighty nor by power but by His grace...

Q:31 years but you still look young what is your secret?

A:The key is take care of yourself, wake up take a bath and slay ...Always pray.

Q:You have been in the fashion industry for a long time now what has evolved for you,since you entered in the industry?

A:A lot evolved, the artists now value collaborations eg stylists, designers ,united we stand , divided we fall.

The fact that I am one of the first stylist in the city of Kings and Queens.When l started, it was 'vague' to call yourself a stylist...but now people can relate.

Q:You celebrated your birthday in style as you launched your EP 'Music Meets Fashion' and also you performed at a fashion event. Can you tell us more about your EP?

A:Music meets fashion, EP, is meant to infuse the fashion and music aspects in my life.

We need more style on stage to sale more to explore the international boundaries .

Q:Last year we saw your music career going up the ladder,where do you see your brand going this year?

A:I'm working on my clothing line 'Welsh The Stylist' launch this year.

Q:One might wonder how do you manage to collaborate Fashion and Music?

A:As an artist you must be diverse, remove blinkers and come out of the box and be versatile..

Q:As you are moving with both fashion and music.Can you share with us some of your projects that you working on this year?

A:My clothing line launch is the main focus, it’s been a long time for its launch coming...this year.

Q:In fashion as a stylist what has been the trending in the fashion world in Zimbabwe?

A:Many people now favour vintage brands like 'kappa track suits' ,Ideal for winter.l like them in different colours.

Q:What are the don't s that you have witness this year's first three month?

A:I feel like the all white themed functions are now outdated.

Q:As we conclude .what did you wish for you birthday ...

A:The wish that I made was to inspire and groom more youngsters in fashion industry.

Pic credit: Vodloza Concept

Interviewed by Tapiwa Rubaya

'HOW I WON THE MUSCLEMANIA CHAMPIONSHIP' -ANTHONY SIKANADZE

 "I really enjoy being able to showcase my body, my passion and hard work through the lenses of a camera"-Anthony SikanadzeFitness training is one of the most trending topics across the globe. We get more information about fitness and bodybuilding industry from the 2017  Musclemania South Africa champion winner Anthony Sikanadze (AS),who is a multi talented model.
During the interview he also gives us some of his day to day tips in terms of his healthy diet.

TR:Anthony Sikanadze thank you for agree to chitchat with us.Can you tell us who is Anthony Sikanadze?
AS: I am Anthony Sikanadze, 26 years of age and Zimbabwean born, partly raised in Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa . I spent alot of my spare time playing all sorts of sports throughout my life from karate to rugby.
I also spent alot of time in front of cameras with modelling and advert shoots, my main one in Zimbabwe was the nugget advert back in 1999/ 2000 with my dad,as well as fashion catalogues. I have always enjoyed doing this from an early and as such i never really stopped. This has brought me to being a bodybuilder and fitness model here in South Africa. And I look to take my talents to an international stage.

TR:Why did you went for for body building and fitness modelling? AS:I have always been involved in sports growing up, but given my circumstances i was always the smaller competitor. As a result i always had to put in extra work outside of regular training times to make sure i could at least compete with others. This began with doing sit ups and push ups next to my bed every night after karate practice to going to exercise at the gym before rugby training in University. With all that training my ultimate goal was always to have a better physique and as such my body developed at such a rate that it was appropriate for bodybuilding and fitness contests. So I decided to give it a try and I fell in love with the sport.

TR:Where did your journey in the body building and fitness modelling sector began and what where the major challenges you faced?
AS:I only decided to get involved in bodybuilding contests as of December 2016, i had been training for 8 years in the gym so i felt it was time to put myself to the test.
From there i competed in a number of competitions and did fairly well. I was then given an opportunity to be on a magazine cover Fitness His Edition (South Africa) through a competition which I won and as a result my fitness modeling careers took off. Since then I have been elected an ambassador of NPL (Nutritional Performance Labs), an ambassador for FIBO Africa, Musclemania South Africa champion and a WBFF Fitness model Pro to name a few.
Along the way I struggled to balance my work life and passion for fitness. It is alway hard to give everything 100% of your attention and commitment but I managed to do that. And here I am today.

TR:What's your day to day life like?
AS: I will usually start the day of with a visit to the gym then head to work for the day whilst trying to fit in 6 meals before my next gym session after work. Then its back to the house for some rest to repeat it all over again the next day.

TR:Tell us about your diet meals?
AS:It really depends on what i am busy with regards to my physique and competitions, right now i am eating clean meals, to keep a lean physique. I try to 8 approximately 8 meals a day.

TR:Besides being a fitness model you are also into photogenic model. How has your fitness and bodybuilding career played a certain role in your photogenic modelling ?
AS: It has given me a completely different avenue to express myself and my body more. Before was i used to modelling clothes for catalogues or adverts. I really enjoy being able to showcase my body, my passion and hard work through the lenses of a camera.

TR:Back to your fitness career tells about  your connection with Muscle Mania?
AS: I have always dreamed to compete on a Musclemania stage.
Growing up I watch people like Ulisses jr, Simeon Panda and Fred Shaka on the Musclemania stage and i wanted to ne just like them. Natural bodybuilders with amazing physiques. So i was always browsing the Musclemania page out of interest sake and eventually in 2017 they had a competition in South Africa. I knew I had to compete on this stage in which I claimed the title of Musclemania South Africa champion.

TR:You are also a Nutrition Performance Labs Ambassador.How did you became their ambassador?
AS:This was due to a competition i won early in 2018 which led to me signing a sponsorship contract with the supplement company.

TR:What word of advise to someone who looks up to you as their role model?
AS: Never give up on your dreams and always put 100% effort in everything you do.

IG - @ant_sik
Facebook - Anthony Sikanadze
Twitter - @AntSik

Written by Tapiwa Rubaya