A few weeks ago, a captivating photograph of a young lady clad in newspapers made rounds on social media. The brain behind the dress is Xandria, a youthful fashion designer that promotes the environment as she designs her pieces. Our arts editor EDITH GONDWE caught up with Xandria to get more from her.
Q
: May you introduce yourself. Your name and the organisation/firm that you work with/for?
A
: My name is Xandria, I’m a fashion designer and owner of Xandria Fashion House.
Q
: Tell us more about what you do and what it stands for?
A
: I create high end apparel for both men and women, and I use fashion to bring about social change. I also focus on making a transformative impact to make the sustainable development goals a reality in Malawi like making sustainable fashion, and raising awareness to highlight cases that need to be addressed using fashion.
Q
: One unique thing about your fashion brand is that it is associated with promoting sustainable fashion. What does it mean to have sustainable fashion?
A
: To have sustainable fashion is to have fashion that contributes to the well-being of the environment
Q
: One of the things that caught my attention is your “newspaper” dress. Tell us about this special design.
A
: I’m really passionate about the environment and keeping it clean, so I made that concept dress to show that we can repurpose anything if we rethink, reuse and recycle waste. I used 1000 Malawi Nation newspapers to make this dress.
Q
: So far how is the fashion industry warming up to your designs? Do you strictly follow sustainable fashion designs or you do these once in a while?
A
: The fashion industry is responding very well to my designs, people always want to see new ideas and unique outfits. Apart from sustainable fashion I also make high end fashion.
Q
: Just how important is it to protect the environment as we design our clothes?
A
: It’s very important because it will help minimise environmental problems like pollution that affect our day to day lives.
Q
: What are your plans in the long run?
A
: Some of my plans are to expand my fashion brand worldwide, to own a manufacturing factory that produces fabric from waste like plastic bottles, plastic bags, papers. To have a school that will train the youth on how to make sustainable clothes and contribute to the environment.
Q
: What are some of the highlights of your career as a fashion designer?
A
: I got selected to exhibit at Africa Regional Review Meeting for the 5th United Nations Conference as one of the youth making the sustainable development goals a reality in Malawi. I have dressed a lot of international celebrities like Kwesta and Yolanda Vilakazi (South Africa), Dana Cody and Demar (USA) as well as local celebrities like Hazel Mak, Theo Thompson, Sangie, Kell Kay, Phyzix, Kim of Diamonds. I’ve been nominated as the best fashion designer of Malawi in 2019.
I’ve done different fashion shows and will soon release a new line. I promote diversity and inclusivity in my brand so I work with different people of different races, abilities, skin tones and sizes.
Q: Where do you want to be in a few years time?
A
: A few years from now I’d like to be on the top list of best fashion designers making a difference in the world, and have my fashion brand stores in other countries as well.n
