Zimbabwean fashion will take centre stage at Kolwezi Fashion Week in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) next month as Haus of Stone Showroom leads a collective of emerging designers to one of Africa’s growing fashion platforms. The delegation will participate in the Africa Fashion Village from July 1 to 5, using the event to introduce Made-in-Zimbabwe fashion to new regional and international markets.
Founded in Harare in 2023, Haus of Stone Showroom has built its reputation as a creative studio and pop-up retail space that champions sustainable African fashion and supports emerging designers. The showcase in Kolwezi forms part of the company’s broader mission to position Zimbabwe as a competitive player in Africa’s fashion industry while creating commercial opportunities for local brands.
Joining Haus of Stone’s in-house label are Zimbabwean brands Takora, Char Design Houze, Zanorashe, Ruby’s Touch and Patch Maokoe Zimbabwe. Together, they will operate a collaborative pop-up shop inside the Africa Fashion Village, giving shoppers, buyers and fashion enthusiasts direct access to handcrafted collections that celebrate Zimbabwean creativity, craftsmanship and sustainable production.
The Africa Fashion Village serves as the commercial hub of Kolwezi Fashion Week, complementing the runway shows by bringing designers and consumers together in a marketplace featuring retail pop-ups, exhibitions and cultural experiences. The platform is designed to connect contemporary African designers with international buyers while encouraging cross-border trade within the continent’s fashion ecosystem.
Haus of Stone founder Danayi Chapfika-Madondo said the initiative goes beyond showcasing clothing, describing it as an opportunity to tell Zimbabwean stories through fashion while creating meaningful business opportunities for local creatives.
“We want to use fashion to tell our stories, keep our culture alive, and create real business opportunities for our local designers. This trip is all about showing the immense talent our country has to offer and turning that talent into successful regional trade,” Chapfika-Madondo said.
Each participating designer brings a distinct creative identity to the collective. Haus of Stone, founded by Chapfika-Madondo, blends fashion with heritage and cultural storytelling, while Takora, led by George Takora, is known for combining structured tailoring with contemporary artistic design. Char Design Houze, founded by Charmaiine Ndiza, focuses on vibrant, youthful pieces inspired by local culture, while Zanorashe, created by Tatenda Chidzidzi, celebrates heritage and feminine elegance through intentional design. Ruby’s Touch contributes handcrafted detailing that highlights artisanal craftsmanship, and Patch Maokoe Zimbabwe showcases sustainable accessories produced from biodegradable materials while empowering local women through skills development.
The showcase also reflects the growing importance of sustainable fashion within Africa’s creative economy. Several participating brands incorporate environmentally conscious production methods and locally sourced materials while preserving traditional craftsmanship. By presenting these collections on a continental stage, the delegation hopes to strengthen Zimbabwe’s reputation as a source of premium African design while opening new export and retail opportunities.
As African fashion continues to gain global recognition, initiatives such as the Haus of Stone collective demonstrate the increasing role of collaboration in helping emerging designers reach wider audiences. Rather than competing individually, the brands will present a united Zimbabwean identity that celebrates innovation, sustainability and cultural heritage.
The participation at Kolwezi Fashion Week represents another step in Haus of Stone Showroom’s vision of taking Zimbabwean fashion beyond its borders. By connecting designers with buyers, industry stakeholders and consumers from across Africa, the initiative aims to transform creative talent into lasting commercial success while showcasing the country’s growing influence within the continental fashion industry.
