SWAHILI FASHION WEEK ENDED WITH REMARKABLE SHOWS THIS WEEKEND
GABRIEL
MOLLEL BAGS TWO AWARDS THIS YEAR
GABRIEL TO REPRESENT SWAHILI FASHION WEEK IN MOZAMBIQUE FASHION WEEK 2012
After several months of planning, the organizers managed to put together a show that has placed Tanzania Fashion industry on the fashion map in Africa with the rest of the world.
Bringing a new standard and pushing for excellence, the organizers pulled through a successful event, leaving guest demanding for further information about the 2013 show. As all good things must come to an end, Swahili Fashion Week 2012 ended with a Swahili Fashion Week Awards on Saturday the 8th of December 2012.
“The Swahili Fashion Week Awards 2012 seek to recognize the contribution of various designers who have made significant strides in the East Africa Fashion Industry. The Awards spur more creativity and innovation in our fashion industry. This will go a long way to put the name of Swahili in African Fashion” Said Mustafa Hassanali, founder and Organizer of Swahili Fashion Week.
Swahili Fashion Week 2012, Eastern and Central Africa largest event, this year was held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from Dec 6-8, bringing a total of over 50 designers from Tanzania and beyond, under one roof.
The Winner of two awards this year, Innovative Designer of the year and Designer of the Year, Gabriel Mollel will represent Swahili Fashion in Mozambique Fashion Week start from 7th to 15th December 2012. In its fifth year now Swahili Fashion Week has maintained the relationship with an exchange programme with Mozambique Fashion Week.
“It’s a pleasure representing Tanzania and Swahili Fashion Week at the Mozambique Fashion Week, winning two awards this year to me is a results of hard work and creativity, I have been spending many hours to create my collections. This gives me power but at the same time it is challenge to me because what is hard in life time is maintaining the start that people believe on you and give you in your what ever you are doing” Said Gabriel Mollel.
“We as Swahili Fashion Week are so proud and honored to be part of Mozambique Fashion Week, Gabriel Mollel will not only be representing Swahili Fashion Week in Mozambique Fashion Week, but also represent our country Tanzania by showing his creativity and designs which are Made from Tanzania”, Said Mustafa Hassanali.
This exchange programs with Mozambique Fashion week is now in its fourth year, Designer Jamilla Vera Swai (2009), Manju Msita (2010), Robbi Morro and Ailinda Sawe (2011) have all represented Swahili Fashion Week at this prestigious event.
“Swahili fashion week aims at promoting, exposing and marketing designers’ products to different parts of Africa and worldwide. African Fashion industry needs to be recognized and placed in the world map “, added Mustafa Hassanali.
Apart from recognizing the contribution of various stakeholders of fashion industry in East and Central Africa, the event also gave young and upcoming designers the opportunity to exhibit their labels and designs to the many Fashionistas who came for the event during the three days whereby various Designers showcased their collection during this year Swahili Fashion Week.
On day 2 of Swahili Fashion Week, Designers attended an educative seminar about the Integrating Market and Design, led by USAID COMPETE together with Origin Africa where free education on how the fashion industry can be transformed to the largest business industry in Tanzania.
Wabunifu wa Swahili Fashion Week pia walipata nafasi ya kushiriki katika semina iliyoandaliwa na USAID COMPETE kwa kushirikiana na ORIGIN AFRIKA juu ya kutafuta masoko kwa bidhaa wanazozitengeza.
Swahili fashion week 2012 was sponsored by Vodacom, USAID Compete, Origin Africa, EATV, East Africa Radio, Golden Tulip Hotel. Amarula, Precision Air, 2M Media, Global Outdoor Ltd, Vayle Springs Ltd, Eventlites, Ultimate Security, BASATA (Baraza La Sanaa Taifa),Strut It Afrika, Ndibstyles, PKF Tanzania, DARLING, PUSH Mobile, DarLife, Century Cinemax, Natol and 361 Degrees.
For More Photos: http://ramp.sdr.co.za/1212SFW/
ABOUT SWAHILI FASHION WEEK
Swahili Fashion Week is the largest
annual fashion platform in East and Central Africa, to date. Now In its fifth year, Swahili
Fashion Week is now THE platform for fashion and accessory designers from
Swahili Speaking Countries and the African continent
to showcase their talent, market their creativity and network with clientele.
This is all aimed at emphasizing to the region that fashion is an income generating creative industry,
whilst promoting “Made in Africa"
concept.
Having initiated a dynamic and promising platform for the fashion
industry in the region, Swahili Fashion
Week is now geared towards being the
most sought out after fashion platform in Africa for the international market founded, created and conceptualized in year 2008 by Mustafa Hassanali.
As of 2013, Swahili Fashion Week will be a
Bi-Annual Event, with Kenyan Edition to be Held during the first Half of the
year and the Main event to be held in the later half, in Tanzania
Gabriel is the founder of Sairiamu Community Action Foundation, which is Gabriel’s design label, Sairiamu meaning “someone who gives with both hands” in the Maasai language. Gabriel has had both his hands working for the betterment of the community long before he became a household name in the country’s fashion industry. In which he has attended in well known fashion shows including Harusi trade fair, Swahili fashion week and more as well as being the winner of the Best Designer of Year 2011.
