Harare Heritage Meets Haute Couture: Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2025

lincouture__ Showcase at Zim Fashion Week

Harare has been humming with anticipation, as Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2025 took place this month, from October 8 - 11th. The event was held at the iconic Hyatt Regency, Harare, The Meikles, bringing together local designers, fashion professionals, and international guests for one of the country’s most important fashion moments. This year promised to be the most dynamic edition yet, featuring visionary designers, immersive showcases, and conversations that aim to shape the future of Zimbabwean fashion both locally and internationally.

Designer: Evelyn Mubochwa (@evelynmubochwa_official (@afrojumbo_official )

Founded in 2009 by Priscilla Chigariro, the event has grown into a major platform for promoting Zimbabwean fashion talent while positioning Harare as a cultural and creative hub. TrendsettersOnly magazine is honored to highlight this pivotal moment which is shaping Zimbabwe’s fashion scene.

@lifetrustempowerment runway show at Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2025. Shot by @vineimagery @asephua_

LIN COUTURE, the vision of AmaLinda Chindori-Chininga, brings a sleek and purposeful approach to modern couture. Known for its sharp tailoring and thoughtful capsule drops, the label uses fashion as a tool for impact by donating half of the proceeds from its Tina collection to support breast cancer patients. KOKI KAMALA, helmed by Koketso Chiepe, blends artisanal leather craftsmanship with polished ready-to-wear, cementing its place as one of the standout acts of recent Zimbabwe Fashion Weeks. GLC Exclusive, created by Graham L. Chabvamupero, is synonymous with meticulous detailing, from corseted gowns to bespoke suits designed to celebrate individuality.

Speakers Priscilla Chigariro (@thereal_pcg), Napoleon Nyanhi (@napoleonnyanhi), Makeba Nana Pokua Boateng (@fashionforumafrica), Simon Udemba (Gliding Star), and leaders Yvonne Ndawana(@yvonnendawana), alongside Walter Chipambwa (@chipambwaw), Head of Education at Hunhu Council of Fashion, dissected matters of practical innovation, policy implementation, and the path to global competitiveness.

Emerging designer Precious Kasongo infuses Harare’s creative pulse into Serenity, a brand built on bold, confident silhouettes for all genders. Afro Jumbo, under Evelyn Mubochwa, commands attention with striking occasionwear that thrives on drama and red-carpet glamour. Meanwhile, Vanisha Crochet, by Vanisha Ramjee, reimagines luxury through hand-crocheted pieces that embrace slow fashion and timeless craftsmanship.

Ntombi Couture, co-founded by Thando Magumise, merges rich African aesthetics with a refined Middle Eastern elegance, creating a signature look of “African opulence.” Bringing a sleek, modern flair to this year’s showcase is Planet Avur, created by Ruva Mutiste. Her latest collection embraces monochrome minimalism, distilling fashion to its most refined elements. “This collection is a love letter to the colour black,” Mutiste explains to UntoldZW. “It mainly features black pieces, which are minimalistic, blending a bit of luxury with a bit of Avur.”

Beyond the runway, Zimbabwe Fashion Week plays a growing role in promoting tourism. The event attracts visitors from across Africa and beyond, filling hotels and boosting local businesses. It also provides an opportunity for guests to experience Zimbabwean culture through traditional fabrics, music, and design. This aims to give local designers global visibility while showing the world Zimbabwe’s creative potential.

This year the event also hosted a valuable fireside chat discussions which ventured into multiple discussions by the dubbed "Hunhu council of fashion", exploring the conversation on REIMAGINING ZIMBABWE'S FASHION INDUSTRY which has shifted from aspiration to action. At the heart of it all is the synergy between creativity and commerce.

"We ventured 'Beyond the Cart' exploring the untapped potential of ethical e-commerce pathways for African creatives, expertly guided by Rumbi Chirumbwana(@rumbirumbi alongside speakers Francis London (@iamfrancislondon )and Koketso Chiepe.(@kokikamala )"

The conversation unearthed actionable insights, innovative strategies, and game-changing perspectives on amplifying African fashion on the global stage while prioritising sustainability, fair trade, and community empowerment.

Evelyn Mubochwa(@evelynmubochwa_official )(@afrojumbo_official )shifts the paradigm again with a dynamic collection that is simple, casual, and unapologetically bold.

Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2025 also serves as a lead-up to a major milestone: the country will host World Fashion Week 2026, further establishing Zimbabwe as a rising fashion destination. The event is expected to attract more international attention, investors, and media to the country. While fashion weeks around the world are often defined by glamour and spectacle, Zimbabwe Fashion Week stands out for its focus on purpose, talent development, and cultural identity. It provides a platform for designers to grow their brands and share their work with a wider audience.