“People think dressmaking is a profession for those who are not intelligent but it’s not true. Dressmaking is a degree on its own and I can say I attained the highest level of qualification with my experience.
“Our profession involves calculations, measurements, adapting to trends of fashion and good public relations,” she told The Zimbabwean at her home in Braeside.
Passion to profession
Married to a politician who endured repeated arrests by Ian Smith’s colonial government, Chirisa said she started sewing as a way of dealing with stress and loneliness when her husband was incarcerated.
In 1984, Chirisa joined a club in the high-density suburb of Highfields to develop her passion into a profession.
“I chose dressmaking because it is an all season business. Whether people have money or not they need clothing and I am never short of clients. At the beginning of the year I made school uniform orders and designed wedding outfits throughout the year. I never rested,” she added.
Chirisa was overwhelmed by orders and secured an office in town.
“Operating from home was restrictive. Once people in the neighbourhood knew I was a dressmaker, they asked me to do all sorts of menial jobs,” Chirisa said.
Long days pay off
A proud mother of five, Chirisa managed to help her husband secure better education for the children and two of them are now medical doctors. Forced to retire last year due to ill health, her children now support her.
Chirisa made about $1 000 a month from her sewing business and got more orders because she produced quality work and often met deadlines agreed with clients. This often meant working long days.
“Working for long hours without adequate rest affected my back, legs and eyes. I was too dedicated,” she said.
Chirisa said when she first started sewing, people discouraged her saying it was not a profitable business.
“I felt discouraged when I started this business because people told me that the market was flooded. Surprisingly, I survived 30 years and it was as if I was the only dressmaker in town,” Chirisa said.
Post published in: Business