Zambia Fashion Week (ZFW) in partnership with Vodafone JUMP opened its doors from the 19th October 2017 at Lusaka’s Government Complex to create a platform for fashion designers to showcase their talent.

Over the three-day period, more than 1,000 guests, including media, and fashion enthusiasts nationwide were in attendance, to enjoy the show’s schedule, which put the spotlight on the diversity and innovation of Zambian designers residing and manufacturing in the country.

A highlight of the three-day fashion extravaganza was the ‘Vodafone Challenge’, which saw over 20 designers participate in a competition focused on conceptualising and actualising garments with Vodafone’s signature brand colours (red, white and grey).
Lusungu Mudondo, emerged victorious and was presented with K5,000 by Vodafone Zambia CMO, Michael Horup. Mr Horup went on to commend Mrs Mudondo for her creativity along with Karen Nakawala, who is the CEO and founder of Afro Multi Media Productions, of which Zambia Fashion Week is an extension, for her contribution to Zambia’s growing fashion industry and its inevitable impact on economic growth.

And Ms. Nakawala noted that with partners such as Vodafone, Fashion Week had cultivated a loyal following within the target audience for local brands along with young discerning trend-setters, a phenomenon that would position the event as a powerhouse in the region.

“With partners like Vodafone JUMP, I see Zambia Fashion Week becoming the hub of fashion in the Southern African region in the next five years and being compared to big shows such as Africa Fashion International, Mercedes Fashion Week, Swahili Fashion week; this is not an impossible task.”

As part of its sponsorship, Vodafone Jump run a competition prior to the event aimed at giving upcoming designers the opportunity to showcase their designs; three designers, Malama Masase, Gibstar Makangila and Mwandwe Mwelwa emerged victorious and received a K2,500 cash injection.

Designers from across the nation with varying styles were in full force over the three-day exhibition, now in its 2nd year, fully embodying the event’s theme, Design Beyond the Ordinary. Designers such as Nkhosi Nkosi, from South Africa, and Nkanda Yatu showcased exquisite and unique pieces that highlighted the growth in creativity in the industry.