The haute couture fraternity over the weekend descended on Dar es Salaam for the 10 edition of the increasingly popular Swahili Fashion Week 2017.
And as many an observer will say this has not been a mean feet by any standards for it has been years of hard work and dedication given the fact that it is the only one surviving in this part of Africa.
There was no better place to catch a glimpse of what is to come than at the launch at National Museum in Dar es Salaam, where the Cream de la creame converged.
As part of the diversity and growth, this year’s show featured emerging designers’ competition featuring finalists who were selected by an independent panel of judges.
These included Agnes Sixbeabeatus, Anjali Borkhataria, Charity Nyaimaga, Edina Emmanuel, Emmanuel Kisusi, Gisela Kaguo, Jackline Ottaru, Liberatha Alibalio, Mary Immaculate Gervace, and Mohammed Juma.
And for the first time the contest was shared as Emmanuel Kisusi and Maryimmaculate Gervace emerged winners replacing last year’s Shahbaz Sayed.
Featuring over 30 local and 13 international established designers the whole place was abuzz with activity, as models graced the catwalk to showcase some of the collections on offer.
In the name diversity again, plus size women too were celebrated for the first time in an industry that has in the past drawn criticism for its inclination for the size zero models.
Mustafa’s resume has grown with time from attending fashion galas to hosting one in his native country and from the kind of association he had in the just concluded gala, he is with the best.
For the three days as designers, models, fashionistas and socialites sampled the designs on offer, one thing that sticks out is the fact that the show has grown to gain a rare international recognition.
Read More: All Africa
