Fashion Futures, a collaborative project led by Zimbabwean designer Chenesai in partnership with British Council and UK based Nataal Media, debuted in Lilongwe this past Thursday, February 13th.
Over the past year, four diverse storytellers: Zimbabwean visual artist Lucia Nhamo, British Ghanaian writer, curator and visual anthropologist, Adjoa Armah, Malawian beauty and wellness expert Thokozani Phiri and Namibian design and fashion creative Leah Misika carried out ground breaking research on sustainability within the fashion industry.
As part of the project’s multinational launch, Thokozani Spoon Phiri hosted a fashion showcase that included a presentation of her research findings compiled in an essay that has been published on Nataals website.
A panel discussion was held, in order to explore the realities of sustainable fashion in Malawi.
The dynamic panel comprised of representatives of various sectors of the fashion sector including Mrs Evidence Mvula, who is a second hand clothing vendor, Mrs Veronica Gondwe of Kondwani Fashions as well as founder of House of stitches, Mrs Victoria M. Gaskins.
“It is important to raise awareness about what sustainable fashion looks like in Africa and even more specifically in Malawi”, says Thokozani.
She intends to do so, together with the team at Fashion Revolution Malawi, which she leads as country coordinator.
She is hopeful that this will further efforts to create more sustainable business practices within the local fashion industry.
To learn more about the content produced under the fashion futures project visit http://nataal.com/fashion-futures-overview and follow the hashtag #futurefashionchronicles on all social media platforms.
You can also keep up with Thokozani on her social media pages : Instagram @zanibeauty twitter : @zani_beauty and YouTube : Zanibeauty
Photography by @KayPhanga
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