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Thembani Mubochwa unveils his elephant dress

DURBAN-based fashion designer Thembani Mubochwa took his fashion eye to wildlife conservation by unveiling his latest and outstanding design – an Elephant dress at the weekend.

Mubochwa, the owner and founder of TZM Fashion House was devastated by the rate of elephant poaching in Africa, especially Zimbabwe, and that became his inspiration for the dress.

Guest of honour at the dress launch held at Meikles hotel in Harare, Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Change Oppah Muchinguri, said she hoped that the Elephant Dress would help to raise awareness of the importance of conserving wildlife within communities.

The Minister, who wore Mubochwa’s design applauded the public and private sector for coming together in conserving natural resources.

The concept as presented by TZM brand ambassador, Rutendo Mutsamwira, was to address climate change and other environmental issues on top of the poaching.

Mutsamwira said: “The dress is made of two parts. The upper part has an emphasis of elephants with the wire frame to strengthen the formation of the elephant and its tusk, while the fabric is ethnic sequence material.

“The bottom part speaks to environment, water and climate. The leaves are made of taffeta which creates waterfalls and cloud shapes on the finishing of each layer.

“Vegetation on the bottom part of the dress represents flora and fauna, the heavy dress was especially made for the red carpet only and lighter replicas will be availed on the market.”

Visually the upper part of the dress is a real elephant head coated in fabric and other ornaments.
Mubochwa who has showcased at prime fashion events such as Durban July and the Zimbabwe Fashion Week intends to take the dress to the international red carpet. He also intends to involve the younger generation by engaging them in the sketching of animal dresses so they grow up conscious of such topics. – Zimbojam.