A couple of days back I published an article about how much the fashion industry in Zim is growing. With the number of designers increasing rapidly, we have those that are exceptionally good. That's where we bring in the term "gods of creativity" to define three gentlemen who form the label White Cotton.
For those who loyally follow us, they'd remember we once featured their head designer, Blessed Nkosi for one of our Fashion Friday editions some time back. Now we had an amazing chance to talk to his partners to get to know one of the posh brands in Byo.
White Cotton, a name that came after one of the co-founders picked up a white cotton string and because of their spontaneous and creative minds, the name came up. So in 2011,Blessed Nkosi, Sean Sita and Nhlonipho Tankwa decided to create their signature clothing line after they realised the frustration that peeps went through and even them to get great clothes. So instead of crossing boarders or paying high prices in local boutiques for these clothes, they decided to make these clothes and they've not looked back. One can see this has been the case as they've showcased in a number of big events around the country like The Blue Carpet Event, Miss Zim Environment and Matebeleland Fashion Week to mention a few. This really shows these gentlemen are not a force to be reckoned with.
Because of their stance to cater for everyone, all shapes and sizes it has made this label a famous one. The designs always carry their signature of class and fine details yet bringing out the persona of the one wearing it. So I asked what they really enjoy about designing clothes, "Everything", replied the head designer Blessed, "it is all an adventure for us and we love to see what our crazy minds come up with each time and simple stuff like a contrast in buttons can make an outfit wow for us". Only the créatives I'm sure understand this better.
As much as these créatives are doing an amazing job dressing the fashionistas of Bulawayo they have some challenges they face. "There are many challenges, the foremost being that the economic environment does not give enough room to accommodate fashion. Face it, when peoples worries are reduced to basic needs, day to day living and hand to mouth earning fashion is the last thing within most peoples reach. We appreciate that we have continued to exist and build our brand over the past 4 to 5 years but its not enough, we do not have enough affluent clientele to have a steady income and build the brand to its true capacity",mentioned Blessing. He also went on to mention the issue of local boutiques not supporting local products. I kept on thinking it's high time I pay those boutiques a visit and tell them how what exactly they missing.
This trio always manage to bring the gentlemen look onto a whole new level. I mean who are the best people to form a trio than guys who have the same fashion sense? One would swear they were born together in their designs even though they, "switch it up a bit to suit each other's look ", as they would say.
As we all know this industry can be a bit harsh, so I had to ask how have they survived all these years in it? " We keep doing what we are doing for the love of it and the vision which is bigger than what most people see. There is nothing like having knowledge of where you are going and knowing that you are on your own path. Also we dont compete, we congratulate those that are doing well but we believe we are in our own league and so we are the best because we are the best". Without a doubt folks, this trio is out to conquer the world and I'm sure you got that, they are the best
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So finally folks for those who have dreamt to be successful fashion designers, here's some advice from the experts in the industry, "Find yourself and let that be prevalent in all your work, be vigilant, stay true and never stray from the original goal. If your goal is to make money you will have success in your lifetime but if your goal is to build an empire you will leave a legacy", said by Blessing.
So there you have it folks. If you don't own a garment from White Cotton I'm going to ask you this "what are you waiting for".
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