It was, “Lights! Camera! Catwalk!”, at Lucky Luciano’s club along the Chikhwawa Road in the commercial city of Blantyre, when the Malawi Fashion Week (MFW), took Divayn clothing line by Memory Chimchere to the runway.
The delegates at the glamorous event were dressed elegantly and the fashion police were everywhere but no arrests for fines were made.
Chimchere who is inspired by Christian Dior, Allexander Mcqueen on the international scene and Lucy Kwengwere on the local scene, said her designs’ theme was elegance which is manifested in the beauty of colours.
“I want through my designs, to show that a woman can still look elegant and stylish without showing too much skin, these designs portray everything that I am—my innerself,” said Chimchere.
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Her ideologies emanate from her Christian faith and that she vows to proclaim her faith through her designs.
She was supported by other designers such as Neema Charles who was wearing her own design held together by safety pins and created in five minutes. Charles, who demonstrated how she made her outfit, said she is inspired by Giorgio Armani, because he is an all-rounder, as he can design almost everything concerning fashion. To complement her outfit Charles had earrings she made out of kitchen cleaning wire mesh.
Another fashion designer who was featured during the showcase was Rose Kaleke who was wearing her own vintage dress made of silk satin with contrast ruffles, inspired by the World War II era fashion.
Dawa Loga-Lamberger said it is the aim of MFW to make Malawi a fashion district. She said the models that were parading will undergo a two-week fashion bootcamp so that Malawi should produce quality models just like other countries.
“I am very sure that Malawians can be recognised in the fashion world, other countries have done it, so can we,” said Loga-Lamberger.
The event was supported by performances by Lulu and Dan Lu who attracted an encore from the fans.
The Malawi Fashion Week team bemoaned low patronage and designer Neema Charles said Malawians do not really appreciate fashion but was quick to say it is a matter of time before they start. The Lucky Luciano showcase is the second out of six that are planned in the coming months before the start of MFW on May 30th.
Loga-Lemberger said that the fashion nights will be held on each last Friday and Saturday of the month in April and May.
