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MisRed

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
BULAWAYO designer Gilmore Tee, ZiFM radio personality MisRed, socialite Pokello Nare and last year’s Style Icon winner Craig Zoowie are in the running for top Zimbabwe Fashion Week (ZFW) awards.

The annual fashion extravaganza, meant to promote emerging designers, will be held in Harare from September 3 to 6 at Palm Estate. It attracts an assortment of fashion enthusiasts, designers, models, buyers, corporate investors, entertainers, exhibitors and fashion-forward creativities from all over the world.

Fashionista’s will be awarded in eight categories — Style Icon of the Year, Fashion photographer of the year, Stylist of the year, Young Designer of the year, Accessories Designer of the year, Emerging designer of the year, Makeup Artiste/Range of the year and Blogger of the Year.

Full-figured MisRed, who always goes the extra mile in ensuring she rocks the red carpet when attending events, said: “I’m humbled by the idea of being nominated in a Style Icon category among arguably some of the biggest fashion icons of Zimbabwe. I’m excited because I’m very vocal on issues of self love and acceptance. Different body shapes and sizes make our world more beautiful and there’s no stronger message to that effect than this,” said the radio personality.

“A win would be great, but I really appreciate the recognition for my fashion efforts more than anything!”

Founded by Priscilla Chigariro-Gessen in October 2009, Zimbabwe Fashion Week, now in its fifth edition, is the country’s premier fashion event. Its main purpose is to create a platform for Zimbabwean designers to showcase their creations as well as to help rekindle what was once a thriving textile and fashion industry in the country.

Renowned international fashion designer Farai Simoyi, who is behind pop icon, Nicki Minaj’s fashion line — Nicki Minaj collection – is expected to grace the fashion week. The America-based fashion designer will showcase her latest fashion line – Farai on September 5.

The networking event this year spread its wings to international capitals with an introduction of a Zimbabwe Fashion Week International. The first international launch was held in London last month.

“Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2014 was a stupendous success and the buzz from our series of events so far is being felt by the fashion world beyond our borders. And so we found it necessary to launch our global brand – Zimbabwe Fashion International,” Chigariro-Gessen was quoted as saying.

“We’ve become the go-to fashion event on Zimbabwe’s cultural calendar, and this is down to the work we’ve put in over the past five years to grow this event. Our mission is to make the Zimbabwe Fashion Week brand synonymous with the people’s appetite for fashion, style and creativity.”

Last year’s edition drew about 40 designers, including seven international brands. Game of Thrones star Yuri Kolokolnikov added a touch of international celebrity by gracing the fashion event for the entire week.