MOZAMBIQUE FASHION WEEK
Spring Summer 2022
Adidas tells us ‘Impossible is Nothing’;
In the Same Spirit Mozambique Fashion Week Created their Own World, ‘MY WORLD’ – a Place where Nothing is Impossible.
All Image Credit Mozambique Fashion Week
At the end of 2022 the sporting world’s crowning glory and one of the main sponsors of the Qatar Football World Cup, Adidas, imprinted this mantra on the world: ‘Impossible is Nothing’. In parallel, and on the opposite side of the globe – in glorious Mozambique, a spectacle of a different kind kicked off with the firm belief that indeed Nothing is Impossible under the bright African sun.
In a kaleidoscopic extravaganza of all things bright and cheery the highly anticipated Mozambique Fashion Week enfolded mid-December 2022. Innovative and as aspirational as ever, their theme, ‘My World’ was derived from a forward-looking Mozambican perspective of the Metaverse.
A whopping 127 stylists (of which 112 were local Mozambicans) worked their extraordinary magic behind the scenes on 75 gorgeous models. Apart from the stalwart local brands that participated, an impressive set of internationals (15 brands to be exact) from Japan, Italy, South Africa and Angola also showcased at the jampacked event which lasted a full week.
This glitzy and glam event was by no means the only the pretty face of fashion (although the latter WAS darned pretty!), it also shone the light very brightly on various pressing social issues on the continent and in particular on the country of Mozambique with its very young and underprivileged population: community upliftment, social awareness and education, especially the plight of those trapped in the deprived social strata, were a priority throughout the proceedings. Employment opportunities for young people was another deliberate focus at Mozambique Fashion Week. Ways of circumnavigating educational and socio-political hurdles and giving young people the opportunity to shine brightly through the medium of fashion was very much on the agenda too. In parallel issues around sustainability and innovation in Fashion also took center stage throughout.
All-in-all this event was yet again a standout feat of excellence for the continent, not only for the fashion industry and all its contingents – from seamstresses to models and stylists, but for also the greater African community who benefitted no end from the international exposure and collaborations. The latter will continue throughout the year and in the process far-reaching creative bridges are being built between Africa and Europe, and Africa and the Far East.
This joyous event filled with fabulous models, brilliant stylists, skillful beauticians, gifted hair experts and extraordinary fashion design & craft talent, was masterfully organized and beautifully presented. It suffices to say Mozambique Fashion Week is the ultimate fairy-tale success story and a precious gem in the crown of the African continent’s impressive set of Fashion Weeks (and competition is darn steep, believe me!)
As for the seasonal colours as seen at the shows … they varied from being steamy and sizzling to being understated heirloom classics. There was an abundance of scorching, drop-dead, red-hot creations, cool-as-a-cucumber white ensembles, subtle lavender & pastel peach pieces and forever-in-fashion classic neutrals.
Sit back and enjoy our hand-picked take on some of the highlights of a fantastic week in the African Fashion calendar.
To catapult you straight into the action, let’s kick off with some front-row live performances:
THE DESIGNERS and the TRENDS
STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS RED-HOT
FIFTY SHADES OF WHITE
SORBET, ANYONE? … STRAWBERRY, BLUEBERRY, VANILLA, CARAMEL OR CHOCOLATE?
NERO IS THE NEW BLACK
BLUE JEANS FOREVER
LET THERE BE COLOUR