The Sunday News
Joel Tsvakwi, Sunday Life Reporter
Zimbabwean fashion designer, Tafadzwa Moyo affectionately known as Taf the Taylor will be showcasing at the spring summer collections South African Menswear Week (SAMW) SS16/17 in Cape Town.
The fourth instalment of South African Menswear Week, is slated for Cape Town stadium, from July 6 to the 9th.
South African Menswear Week is Africa’s only stand-alone platform dedicated to the development and promotion of menswear within the African continent.
The prestigious men’s fashion extravaganza takes place twice a year in Cape Town and aims to provide a world-class platform for menswear designers and brands to showcase their latest collections. A series of shows over four days, only the best of menswear is invited to be on the schedule each season.
In an interview with Sunday Life Moyo reiterated how he started his career.
“I was clueless of how to thread a sewing machine and could not even stitch a single line, but passion drove me to enrol into a formal institute. Then I started,” he said.
The enthusiastic Moyo said he had always grabbed opportunities as they come.
“I never take any opportunity that comes my way for granted. Showcasing again at the South African Menswear Week SS16/17, alongside many talented African Designers and another fellow Zimbabwean – Ara Kani, is really humbling. I have showcased before at the event, but every time, it is a challenge to up my game and stay relevant,” said Moyo.
Moyo revealed that it is at Danhiko College where he realised his dream which has taken him this far in the fashion world.
“I started my career path in 2005 when enrolled at Danhiko Project Clothing Institute, where I pursued a 4-year Diploma in Industrial Clothing Design and Construction,’’ Moyo said, revealing how he got his nickname.
“I kicked off my career by custom making clothes for my friends who insisted on calling me Taf the Taylor, initially spelt as Tailor, during my early days in the fashion industry,” he said.
Moyo added that he started to make inroads into the then women dominated fashion industry while he was still a student.
“In my third year of study, I joined Bernstein Clothing for half a year as part of this internship. I finished the last half of the year at Faithwear, the biggest fashion brand in Zimbabwe. Joining Faithwear was one my best fashion moves, as the brand was one of the best labels everyone wanted to own and wear,” he said.
He added: “Being part of the design team at Faithwear was such a big deal for me that even after graduating, all I wanted was to be a part of the same team again. It was a ground breaking moment for me, which I treasure up to date,” said Moyo.
After graduating, Moyo said he was offered a full time job at Faithwear where he worked as a junior designer for 2 years.
He later decided to venture into his own business as a clothing manufacturer in a bid to raise capital to fund his own clothing label, Kidd Hunta.
“Kidd Hunta is a modern setting-with style. For the modern day fighter, a label which draws strength from a strong African Past and runs courageously into the future,” he said.
