Ricky Rick inspired football coach breaks the fashion market

15 Nov, 2020 - 00:11 0 Views
Ricky Rick inspired football coach breaks the fashion market Leon Mwale

The Sunday News

Nkosilathi Sibanda
A LOCAL football coach’s admiration for the top billing fashion industry has turned out to become an unexpected business enterprise.

And it pays him well, not to complain for a start. is known in local football circles as a coach at Makomo, a team in the first division league. Growing up, Mwale was once a talented goalkeeper with Hwange Football Club and the Young Warriors. Off field, he shoves the game plan board and sits behind the designer’s desk on hours.

Leon runs a fledging clothing brand, Lefae Genius Outfit that has fast gained popularity as far as the United Kingdom. Inspired by South African hip hop artists, Ricky Rick, Mwale has realised a dream.

“I saw Ricky Rick fusing music and fashion and convinced myself I can do it too. The inspiration was born out of seeing Ricky Rick and NBA star James Garden modelling for Gucci. These celebrities that I follow much taught me how to make money from a diversified portfolio.”

A look-see at the brand’s growth curve, shows it’s on demand in its online market, a hint that indeed it is appreciated. Leon’s surname rings a bell to football crazed followers familiar with his father, Weekly, a respected coach in his own right. Weekly also has his fits tailored by Leon.

The coach, credited with mentoring a generation of players is proud of the fashion gem that Leon has cut out to be.

Of note players who have officially endorsed the Lefae label are former Warriors stalwart Method Mwanjali, Zimbabwe’s cycling legend Siza Chuma, Zambian based goalie Collen Dida Phiri, Obert Moyo and Dominic Chungwa. Mwale says the list of prominent people flooding his stable is endless. Mwanjali, popularly known as “Yellow Man” is staunch follower of the Lefae label. He is always seen either on a Lefae hoodie, T-Shirt or cap. Even Hwange’s Big Charlie is a fan too.

Fashion and the world’s beautiful game make for a good business combo! It seems to come natural for footballers to be obsessed by trending fashion trends and for the young Mwale, the constant exposure to big labels was the start of his dream to own one. Football was not enough for him to settle for a happy life. It dawn later in his twenties that a try at the fashion world might pull out something different and fulfilling.
It did. The Lefae Genius Outfit is now not only an apparel that one can pick off the shelf. It is a fashion statement. Having started off in the coal rich town of Hwange, where he made most out of football, Mwale is not shy to say that his label is growing and surpassing expectations.

From well known football celebrities, business personalities and politicians, the Lefae brand is a hit.

Mwale designs head gear, casual, formal and sports wear in what makes him one of a few diversified fashion entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe.

“Lefae Genius Outfit is a fashion brand which was established in Hwange in 2018. I specialise into casual, sports and formal wear. There’s head gear on as well. Lefae came when I started started working with a guy called Godwin Ndlovu Blaqstone, Willie Gates, Koshen Sibanda, and Jay Bling. These are the guys who have helped me a lot I give thanks to them.”

He said he sees business blending in well with his football career.

“I find there is an inseparable link in fashion and football.”

Leon says since establishing Lefae Genius Outfit, the brand has rubbed off on the whole of Hwange’ social strata.

“It’s a brand that has been embraced. The people of Hwange has ownership to the brand.”

He has roped in up an coming musicians, models and actors to market his stable.

“Business is growing and people are supportive. I started with 10 caps 17 t -shirts, now I’m having to work on loads of them daily. The brand is also sponsoring music videos of musicians here in Hwange. Of note are music artists such as wonder kid Ricky Phiri, Willie Gates,Ricky Phiri, Jay Tonga and Mayben Zulu,” said Mwale.

The label, that is slowly expanding to the music scene, has opened doors for young musicians to make videos. He lets out that he plans to venture into elite sport wear in support of his other passion in swimming and golf.

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