8 Popular Tanzania Fashion Designers & A Dar Fashion Event

Tanzania fashion designers: an outfit design by Kemi Kalikawe, one of the most popular fashion designers in Tanzania

Are you looking for a Tanzanian fashion designer? Then don’t worry, you are in the right place.

This post was sponsored by the International Young Fashion Designers Show Case Tour. Before I get into that, though, let me give you a brief list of popular Tanzania fashion designers.

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  1. Doreen Mashika
  2. Anne Kiwia
  3. Mustafa Hassanali (organizer of Swahili Fashion Week)
  4. KiKi Zimba (Kiki’s Fashion)
  5. Kemi Kalikawe (Naledi Fashion)
  6. Evelyn Rugemalira (Eve Collection)
  7. Jamilla Vera Swai
  8. Khadija Mwanamboka
  9. Ally Rhemtullah

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Tanzanian Fashion Pictures

If you are interested in seeing some work from Tanzania fashion designers, click here.

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Tanzania Clothing Brands

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International Fashion Designers in Tanzania

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the International Young Fashion Designers Showcase Tour held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, The Kilimanjaro in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania courtesy of my niece, popular Tanzanian fashion designer Kemi Kalikawe of Naledi Fashion.

It was a night of beauty, creativity, and multiculturalism and, in this post, I’d like to tell you all about it.

I will share photos and videos from the night with you, but first let me tell you a bit about the Tour, its history, and its reasons for taking young designers (including some Tanzania fashion designers) from four countries spanning four continents to showcase their work together in each of those four countries.

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Here goes…

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After shows in Iceland and Panama, the “International Young Fashion Designers Showcase Tour” set off to Dar es Salaam as its third stop.

A gala fashion show was held at the Hyatt Regency of Dar es Salaam on September 28, featuring the collections of the participating international young fashion designers (including some Tanzania fashion designers).

To support the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) launched by the Chinese Government to promote trade, infrastructure and networking strategy among countries, the “International Young Fashion Designers Showcase Tour” aims to provide a platform for young fashion designers to showcase their work globally.

The project was initiated by Dr. Annie Wu, SBS, JP, the Honorary Consul of the United Republic of Tanzania to Hong Kong and Macau, to boost the relationship between China and Africa.

Speech by Dr. Annie Wu, initiator of the showcase tour, Honorary Consul of the United Republic of Tanzania to Hong Kong Administrative Region

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Dignitaries in Attendance

Hon. Mizengo Peter Pinda, Former Prime Minister of Tanzania was the Guest of Honour of the Dar es Salaam showcase.

He officiated the catwalk show together with Dr. Annie Wu and Ms. Devotha Mdachi, the Managing Director of the Tanzania Tourist Board.

Other dignitaries who attended the event include Mrs. Pinda, Hon. Angela Kairuki (Minister of Minerals, United Republic of Tanzania), Ambassador Ramadhani Mwinyi (Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Mr. Joseph Kahama (Secretary General of the Tanzania China Friendship Promotion Association), Ms. Angel Hon (Curator of the “Belt and Road International Young Fashion Designers Showcase Tour”), Mr. Xu Chen (Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Tanzania), and Mr. Matindi (CEO of Air Tanzania).

Group photo from left: Ms. Angel Hon, Curator of International Young Fashion Designers Showcase Tour; Ambassador Ramadhani Mwinyi, Deputy Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mrs. Pinda; Dr. Annie Wu, Honorary Consul of the United Republic of Tanzania to Hong Kong and Macau; Hon. Mizengo Pinda, Former Prime Minister of Tanzania; Ms. Devotha Mdachi, Managing Director of Tanzania Tourist Board; Hon. Angela Kairuki, Minister of Minerals, United Republic of Tanzania; Mr. Joseph Kahama, Secretary General of Tanzania China Friendship Promotion Association; and Mr. Matindi, CEO of Air Tanzania

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The catwalk show presented the work of 11 designers including Tony Vergara and Veronica Angel from Panama; Hildur Yeoman from Iceland; Kemi Kalikawe from Tanzania; Mary Yu, Kenny Li, Singchin Lo, Mountain Yam, and the trio-designer team of Kanoe (made up of Lina, Yingzi, and Yuzhu) from Hong Kong, and Junne Liu and Jarel Zhang from elsewhere in China.

The catwalk show featured not only outfits from the designers’ own collections, but also ones specially designed for the Tour, collectively termed the “Belt & Road” collection.

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The models featured in the show were from both Africa and Asia.

Other Art Forms Celebrated at the Event

The International Young Fashion Designers Showcase Tour in Dar es Salaam was not only about fashion but also other art forms.

The show was opened by a Tanzanian DJ and Tanzanian drummers, mixing the sounds of African drums with cutting-edge electro-acoustic tones.

Anna Chau, the first female face-changing master from Hong Kong, gave a special face changing performance, which was simply spectacular!

“Face changing” performance by Anna Chau from Hong Kong

Before the show, a calligrapher from Hong Kong, Lee Wai Woo, offered the guests a fan with their name written on it in Chinese calligraphy with the aim of promoting Chinese culture to the world (I absolutely love mine and can’t wait to show it off when the hot season rolls around in a couple of months!).

The last installment of the 4-event tour will take place in Zhuhai, China.

The Dar es Salaam show was co-sponsored by the Tanzania Tourist Board and the Tanzania China Friendship Promotion Association.

Now that you know about the International Young Fashion Designers Showcase Tour and its objectives, let me show you some pictures and videos from the Dar es Salaam event.

Photos from the International Young Fashion Designers Showcase Tour in Dar es Salaam (With Some Tanzania Designer Pieces)

Mountain Yam (Hong Kong)
Kemi Kalikawe (Naledi Fashion, Tanzania)
Kanoe (Hong Kong)
Kanoe (Hong Kong)
Jarel Zhang (Shangai, China)
Belt and Road Collection specially designed for the Tour by Kenny Li from Hong Kong
Belt and Road Collection specially designed for the Tour by Kenny Li from Hong Kong
Belt and Road Collection specially designed for the Tour by Mountain Yam from Hong Kong
Belt and Road Collection specially designed for the Tour by Mary Yu from Hong Kong
Belt and Road Collection specially designed for the Tour by Veronica Angel from Panama
Belt and Road Collection specially designed for the Tour by Tony Vergara from Panama
Belt and Road Collection specially designed for the Tour by Tony Vergara from Panama
Design by Kemi Kalikawe
Belt and Road Collection specially designed for the Tour by Kemi Kalikawe from Tanzania
Showstopper designed by Kemi Kalikawe, a Tanzanian fashion designer
Belt and Road Collection specially designed for the Tour by Kemi Kalikawe from Tanzania

And since I happened to be in a prime position to capture the finale of the show, here is a little video for you!

Fashion Designers Near Me: Dar Fashion Event Video Recap

International Young Fashion Designe...
International Young Fashion Designers Showcase Tour in Dar es Salaam Finale

It was a great, great show!

Thank you, International Young Fashion Designers Showcase Tour, for such a beautiful night of art, fashion, and multiculturalism!

Tanzanian Women

Tanzania, located in East Africa, is home to a diverse population with various ethnic groups, languages, and cultures.

Tanzanian women, like their male counterparts, represent this diversity.

Here are some general aspects to consider:

  1. Ethnic Diversity: Tanzania is home to more than 120 ethnic groups, each with its own language, cultural practices, and traditions. The largest ethnic groups include the Sukuma, Chaga, Haya (my ethnic group), and Nyamwezi, among others.
  2. Languages: Swahili and English are the official languages of Tanzania. Swahili, known as Kiswahili in Swahili, is widely spoken across the country and serves as a unifying language among people of different ethnic backgrounds.
  3. Religion: Tanzania is religiously diverse, with the majority of the population being either Christian or Muslim. Traditional African religions are also practiced in some areas.
  4. Education: Tanzania has made progress in improving access to education, and women’s literacy rates have been increasing. However, challenges such as poverty and cultural norms can still hinder educational opportunities for some girls and women.
  5. Economic Roles: In many Tanzanian communities, women play crucial roles in agriculture, both subsistence farming and cash crops. They are often responsible for household management and childcare.
  6. Urban vs. Rural Life: There are significant differences in the lives of women in urban and rural areas. Urban women may have more access to education and employment opportunities, while rural women often engage in agricultural activities and face challenges such as limited access to healthcare.
  7. Healthcare: Maternal and child health remains a concern in Tanzania. Efforts have been made to improve healthcare services, but access can still be a challenge, especially in remote areas.
  8. Cultural Practices: Traditional gender roles and cultural practices vary among different ethnic groups. In some communities, certain customs and traditions may impact women’s rights and status.
  9. Women in Leadership: Tanzania has seen women take on leadership roles in politics and business. Tanzania currently has a female head of state: President Samia Suluhu Hassan. However, there is ongoing work to further enhance gender equality and empower women in various sectors.
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Until the next time,
Biche

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2 comments

  1. Hi dear
    My name is Jennifer from Debby Adventure a local tourism company which offers safaris, trekking, Zanzibar beach holidays, hot spring, coffee and cultural tours here in Tanzania. Our website is http://www.debbyadventure.com my WhatsApp number is+255 714 729 716
    I want to work with you, please contact us when you get time.
    I am looking forward to hear from you soon
    Best regards from Debby Adventure

    1. Hi Jennifer,

      Welcome to Chick About Town! It’s a pleasure to e-meet you.

      Let me send you an email.

      Warm Regards,
      Biche

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