Murmures

Starting off from humble beginnings, using a shaky sewing machine inherited from his grandmother, Hellane Munez III is rising to be a force to reckon with in the local fashion industry.

Already, in his short stint in the game, Munez has drawn the attention of major players in the industry which has seen him being given an accolade by the Zimbabwe Clothing Manufacturers Association (ZCMA).

Zimbo Jam caught up with the 21 year old designer who is also the co-founder of Afrokreative fashion house and he told us more about his brand.

"Together with my partner Tanaka Ndawona, we visited a tailor where we downloaded a gist of how to cut and sew for two months then we started experimenting with my granny's sewing machine Mrs Mhlanga who is my hero and pillar of strength including the rest of my family.

"Determination kept us going until our work began to shape up although the garments were not perfect, my inspiration came from nature, and basic things we see as unimportant," revealed Munez.

"The drive to pursue a unique image was the major propeller for me to become a fashion designer. I have always paid attention to the way I dress because image is everything but at first I used to shop for rare clothes in uncommon places," said Munez.

Hellane then enrolled at a fashion school gather more knowledge about his craft, and it is there where he learnt to work with fabrics that require delicacy and are challenging to use.

"I challenged myself that if I had this obsession with clothes, then why not make my own, so I started sketching and coming up with ideas of how I wanted them to come out. As an artist there is no greater feeling than to create something from nothing and the glam that follows after such work.

"I love to create and dress up in elegant fashion styles (haute couture) for example an Avante Garde label outfit made with a combination of bottle caps imbedded with soft wire and fabric," added Hellane.

In his Hatfield home, where he operates from, Hellane dresses artists like Basil Chirengendure, John Cole, Juntal, Douglas Chimbetu, Lindy Munerenyu, Schingy amongst many others.

"The ZCMA award challenged me to do better, I'm never satisfied I believe my next work is the best so it's a matter of always challenging myself.

"I have no respect for anyone who steals ideas and concepts from us but that will not stop us from aiming to take Zimbabwe fashion to the international standard and get people to appreciate our fashion."

Some of the platforms Munez and partner have showcased at are; Zim Youth Festival ,Spread the Love Festival, Clothing Indaba and Fashion Forward to name a few.