Zimbabwean Designers Shine at Durban Fashion Fair 2025

Zimbabwean creativity took centre stage at the prestigiousDurban Fashion Fair (DFF) 2025, where two young designers,Kundai Caryn MangenaandNcominkosi Sibanda, showcased their work alongside some of Africa’s leading fashion talents. The two emerging designers earned their place on the international runway after impressing audiences at theI Wear My CultureFashion Gala, held on August 30 at the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. The gala, hosted byPaper Bag Africaand supported by theBritish Council, brought together 14 Zimbabwean designers and peers from South Africa and the UK to celebrate heritage and contemporary fashion.

At DFF, which ran from September 17–19 at the Durban Exhibition Centre, over 60 designers presented collections under the theme“The Awakening.”The annual event, now in its 14th edition, has grown into one of Africa’s most influential fashion showcases, spotlighting both established brands and rising stars. ForKundai Mangena, a recent graduate from Chinhoyi University of Technology, the experience was transformative. She presented an all-female collection on opening night, describing the opportunity as “an unparalleled inspiration” that broadened her perspective on fashion.

“This journey has expanded my understanding of fashion as a boundless reservoir of opportunity,” Mangena said. “Zimbabwe’s creative talent is formidable, but our biggest challenge remains access to resources to fully realise our potential.” Sharing the spotlight wasNcominkosi Sibanda, founder ofNcoma Style Laband an alumna of Durban University of Technology. Known for her bold exploration of cultural narratives—including her Venda-inspired collection atI Wear My Culture—Sibanda marked her first regional and international showcase at DFF.

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“Community and collaboration are invaluable lessons I’ve carried from bothI Wear My Cultureand the Durban Fashion Fair,” she reflected. “African fashion carries an inherent richness that demands global visibility, and platforms like DFF amplify our voices and stories.” See AlsoHarare’s Walk of Fame! : Legends to be immortalized Harare’s Walk of Fame!

: Legends to be immortalized The participation of Sibanda and Mangena was made possible through the collaborative ties between theCity of BulawayoandeThekwini Municipality, with continued support from theBritish Council Zimbabwe. Their success highlights how initiatives likeI Wear My Cultureare not only preserving cultural narratives but also positioning Zimbabwean designers on global stages. With their innovative collections and strong cultural grounding, Mangena and Sibanda’s Durban debut signaled a bright future for Zimbabwean fashion, proving that the nation’s designers are ready to claim their place in the international spotlight.

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