What is Fashion without mentioning the name Fabrik Party.In the previous episode of the Fabrik party,designers were provided an opportunity to showcase their products and the one who wins the hearts of the judges and spectators.Was to be named the designer of the moment.Nobunaga from Bulawayo was awarded the best designer.We chitchat about his designs and also his next move.
Q. Who is Nobunaga?
A Nobunaga is a physical & spiritual manifestation which governs and maintains balance between the two different soul properties/beings to form one entity.
Namely;
Nobu (信), which is the creative director of Mayor Sportwear & Luxury.
Naga (長), which is the driving force behind SEXƧOUNDS AƧYLUM.
Nobunaga (信長), whom is the art director of The Homeless Kidz.
Dependent on what the task at hand is and what is required, they can work separately or together as one instead of three separate beings.
Q.Take us to your history background in the world of fashion?
A.We have been designing since high school and taught ourselves how to tailor, design and style from watching and reading any fashion related documentation which we came across.
Started off mainly with styling during middle school which then transitioned into designing pieces and outsourcing labour with the adequate skill set to make them.
Through this, Naga became the creative director for SEXƧOUNDS AƧYLUM in 2022 and publicised the fashion house through a short film titled Inception. That very same year the house released a collection in Harare at the Skeyi and Strobo Fabrik Party in December 2022 named ShadesOfBlack.
Before this, we mainly did ghost designing, styling and creative directing for bigger brands where we would get commissioned and do not get any credit as they would pass off your work as theirs. Unfortunately due to previous agreements, the names can not be disclosed and the work may not be denounced.
Q .What does the term fashion mean to you,as a designer?
“Fashion is not art because it is only valid if it is lived in and worn.”
In simplicity I make clothes, bags and shoes in the form of pieces for people to use on a day to day basis and not to frame them on a wall and look at.
They are actually more of weapons than clothes as they are essential to this day to day battle called life.
Therefore to us, fashion stands to be weapons of mass destruction, to what?, to everything.
Q What inspired you to take part at the Fabrik party as a designer?
A.One would have to be ignorant to not acknowledge the Fabrik Party as arguably one of the biggest and best platforms for showcasing their work, be it fashion, art, poetry or other mediums of art communication in Zimbabwe. Henceforth when we had a conversation with ULenni OkaNdlovu to showcase, it was a no brainer that this is the place to go and flex our creative muscles while networking with other creative artists to build a culture which fights the blind eye given to Art forms and Fashion by the nation.
Q. Take us to the designs that you showcased and the story behind the collection?
A.For the Pacific Cigarettes Competition, we designed a multifunctional and multi-outfit look which was inspired by the Pacific slogan, “LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES”.
For the upper wear, we designed a suicide biker jacket which could be worn both sides (inside and outside). The outside, which is what we showcased first on the runway, was a plain silver biker jacket with a white collar and white ribbing cuffs from the Pacific fabric.
The jacket was then flipped inside out, showcasing the other side (inside), which was a suicide jacket with plain white sleeves and the front and back bodice being the white and green printed Pacific Breeze fabric.
Both sides can be zipped up and contain little intricacies such as hidden pockets and exposed pockets to keep your objects in safely.
For the bottom wear, we designed a straight – baggy fit silhouette of pants. Zipper and 2 button enclosures on the front, Pacific fabric belt buckles and unhemmed bottom.
The pants had a hidden zipper on each knee which when opened would transform the pants into shorts.
For intricacy and creative muscle showcase, the jacket can be transformed into a mini tote bag where one can carry their cigarettes, lighter, phone, glasses, wallet and other essentials.
A look which can be transformed into multiple outfits for different occasions paying homage to the ideal of LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES.
Q. You were announced as the winner were you expecting your brand to be announced as the winner and what does it mean to you?
A.It may sound arrogant but before we left Bulawayo for Harare, we packed all the pieces for all the other collections and said we are winning this fight, God willing ofcourse.
All opportunities which come our way to showcase or exhibit our work are treated as a title match. Henceforth when we were selected as a finalist, the next step was to prepare for a tough fight as the other candidates were gifted beasts whom would eat you up if you slack.
Before I designed the look for the competition, a fashion industry affiliate told me that this is a fight amongst the future of fashion as the designers there were holding the fashion ball and are whom the fashion industry are looking to for the next big thing.
This isn’t to say that outside the selection there aren’t any designers which are talented enough or in the fashion conversation. For instance, designers such as Albutler for RoZeBoWL 2.0, Janas for J.Sabelo, Kuki Sanban for Inferno, Xavi for Yet GALORE and so much more just to mention a few whom are making breathtaking work.
Henceforth, when we were announced as the winner of that fight, I couldn’t tell you how I felt because 5 minutes later I had a runway to showcase and another in the next 45 minutes.
Now that I have settled down abit more, I just feel grateful and blessed for my brothers who carried me like we had won the world cup, Ulenni for pushing me to submit to the open call, Marcus the Energy Dokta who ran around and made sure I got the fabrics to make the work, Bluesmoke who modelled my pieces on a pro-bono basis and Xavi who was going through a lot but stuck around just to congratulate me henceforth this win wasn’t just for me but it was for my people, my family, my clan.
What it means to me?, its a testament to my ability and all the money, time and stress I invested to get here and still to invest more as the doors for opportunity open up.
Q. Where to now should we expect you to take part in fashion shows which ones next?
A.What’s next is world domination and International Fashion Weeks.
You gotta speak it to envision it then it can exist for you to achieve it through Intentionality and hardwork.
All while forging a name for us as a mainstay in fashion history!
I already have plans in motion for 2024 under SEXƧOUNDS AƧYLUM, MAYOR SPORTSWEAR & LUXURY, THE HOMELESS KIDZ, PACIFIC CIGARETTES COMPANY and so much more which I can’t disclose at this present time.
Q. What words do you have for the Fabrik Party founders?
A.iSpaceship sabantu siyabongwa kanye lokubamban kwenyu kuyaka imizi lamaphupho amaneng. I will always be grateful for the love and opportunities you have put us on because you didn’t have to and that’s what we will hold dearest. Stay shining and building the culture, the war continues and the weapons of mass destruction are ready-made to conquer.
WORLD OF FASHION & MODELLING 