Priscilla Chigariro-Gessen, founding director Zimbabwe Fashion Week, the event would be held at the height of the United Kingdom summer, a few weeks ahead of the main event in Harare traditionally conducted at the end of August.
Chigariro-Gessen said the rising demand for similar events by Zimbabweans in the Diaspora had led to the expansion drive. She said more than 6 000 patrons attended ZFW events in the past and the London premiere would soar as it benefits from wider exposure.
The UK boasts the largest concentration of Zimbabweans in the Western Diaspora and continues to support a thriving set of popular cultural events.
“When Zimbabwe Fashion International is launched in London, it will provide a much needed platform for many exciting upcoming fashion creatives working in the UK to showcase their creations.
“I feel we have generated the momentum and credibility with Zimbabwe Fashion Week to sustain the international expansion and we are taking our strong brand credentials to London and elsewhere with full confidence that we will be successful,” Chigariro-Gessen said.
In the statement, Chigariro-Gessen, a Zimbabwe born former model turned entrepreneur said: “Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2014 was a stupendous success and the buzz from our series of events so far is being felt by the fashion world beyond our borders. And so we feel that now’s the right time to launch our global brand – Zimbabwe Fashion International, which will premiere in London later this year.
Following its launch in October 2009 in South Africa’s commercial capital, Johannesburg, ZFW has been running successfully in Harare for the past five years and has in that time won the support and acclaim of esteemed figures in the fashion industry.
“As Zimbabwe’s premier fashion event, Zimbabwe Fashion Week’s main purpose is to create a platform for the country’s designers to showcase their creations. And by celebrating our nation’s sartorial creativity in this way, we also aim to help revive the country’s once thriving textile and fashion industry,” Chigariro-Gessen added.
The popular event attracts an assortment of fashion enthusiasts, designers, models, buyers, corporate investors, entertainers, exhibitors and fashion-forward creatives from all over the world.
Last year’s edition drew about 40 designers, including seven international brands. Game of Thrones star Yuri Kolokolnikov added a touch of international celebrity by gracing the fashion event for the entire week.
ZFW has also launched a video series of highlights of last year’s event in response to demand on the show from fans who missed out on the show.
A Zimbabwe Fashion International Team has been set in London and designers and sponsors interested in showcasing their work at the London Premiere can register their interests by emailing production@zimfashionweek.com
Post published in: Arts