In her own words, Zimbabwean self-taught fashion designer Maita Marimo’ vision is to create unforgettable pieces that one can cherish for years to come and eventually pass on to the next generation. It is to never follow trends but to establish them.
She first showed signs of her future flair from an early age; she was the youngest recipient to win the 2003 Cottco Fashion Designer of the year award.
In 2007, Maita was selected to represent Zimbabwe at the Tribal fusion fashion show in South Africa.
In 2008, she received a scholarship to study for a Bachelor of Arts at the prestigious School of The Art Institute of Chicago (S.A.I.C) in the United States of America. She studied for only a year but was eager to get started on her ready-to-wear line, so she returned home to set up her studio in Harare.
She launched her self-named brand in 2009, showcasing her first collection at a fashion show that was sponsored by the Embassy of Spain. Maita then presented her second spring/summer 2012 collection at the Africa Fashion Week in 2011.
In 2012, she was voted and awarded the top designer award at the Zimbabwe Fashion Week.
#SheCreatesMarch| Chidochemoyo Gutu, Arts Guru & LET THEM Trust Founder
Maita’s Spring/Summer 2014 Collection was showcased at the Nolcha Fashion Week in New York.
“New York City is the fashion hub of the world. I’m honored and excited to be showcasing my collection at the Nolcha fashion week. It is a unique platform that allows designers like myself to showcase my creativity on an international platform. This opportunity is my dream coming true!“ she said at the time.
Maita Marimo experiments with the central themes of femininity and glamour, she fuses her cultural influences to give a unique yet modern edge to her designs.
The Maita Marimo brand is a celebration of individualism, and Maita believes that each garment she creates is a collectable piece of art.
While she could be crushing on Terrence Jenkins, Maita is now married to multi-Award-winning film director, Andy Cutta Sobhuza.
Editorial: This month, #enthuse, through our #SheCreatesMarch feature series, celebrates the work of thirty-one Zimbabwean women creatives, the contributions and achievements they have made throughout history, culture, and society. The idea is to elevate visibility for commercial projects and commissions. Discover the work of avant-garde creatives who embody the spirit of the month by uplifting and empowering women. Representing diverse backgrounds and disciplines, these women share one thing in common: their dedication to supporting women and sharing their stories through art and creativity. We are thrilled to share their work. And this month is about them. #ChooseToChallenge
