Matemachani shines at Africa Fashion Week London

📅 Published: August 18, 2025

📰 Source: thestandard

Curated by AllZimNews.com

For founder Rumbidzai Samantha Matemachani, the programme proved transformative, accelerating her brand’s growth and equipping her with the tools to seize international opportunities.

Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledged that without the structured mentorship and sponsorship from the British Council, her participation in AFWL would not have been possible. “The creative DNA programme allowed me to get myself together in such a quick manner.

It flowed seamlessly, preparing me for the opportunities ahead.

If I had not done the British Council programme and the Creative DNA programme, I would not have been prepared today to showcase at Africa Fashion Week London. ” She was joined by nine other designers from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Ghana.

All designers are alumni or current participants of the Creative DNA fashion accelerator programme, a flagship initiative of the British Council’s creative economy portfolio in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Since 2020, it has supported over 200 fashion entrepreneurs across Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Malawi through mentorship, business development, and showcasing opportunities.

The programme is designed to strengthen creative enterprises, foster inclusion, and build international connections between Africa and the UK.

The experience, she noted, not only elevated her brand’s marketability but also reinforced the importance of cross-continent collaboration in amplifying African design.

The designers joined business clinics and panel discussions with UK fashion experts and facilitators from Westminster University and the Fashion Retail Academy as well as participated in retail and manufacturing ecosystem tours across London, offering them direct insights into ethical production practices, global fashion standards, and the dynamics of the international retail market.

This year’s British Council Pavilion at AFWL spotlighted innovations like AI-driven fashion storytelling and virtual reality showcases, signaling a futuristic shift in how African design intersects with technology.

Lloyd Anderson, British Council Zimbabwe director, praised Rumbidzai’s inclusion, while Nigerian fashion entrepreneur and AFWL founder Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi highlighted the significance of the partnership with the British Council as a pivotal move to advance African fashion globally. “By showcasing these visionary designers in London, we are not only celebrating their talents but also forging deeper cross-cultural connections within the global fashion ecosystem,” she said.

Standard Style reporterKhumbulani Muleya (KM)caught up withRumbidzai Matemachani (RM).