UK: Fashion unites in aid of Zimbabwe’s Forgotten Children
FASHIONGIVESBACK! 2011 is the spectacular boutique event launching at BMW Synter in Leicester on Friday 19th August in aid of ‘Zimbabwe’s Forgotten Children’.
The BBC documentary – ‘Zimbabwe’s Forgotten Children’, by BAFTA winning directors Xoliswa Sithole and Jezza Neumann followed the lives of three children growing up in Zimbabwe. Charlene Mukuzvaza, a young Zimbabwean woman living in the UK was so moved by this beautiful yet haunting documentary, that she enlisted the support of her fellow countrymen to create a fundraising event using the medium of fashion to benefit under-privileged children in her home country.
Hosted by the award-winning Zimbabwean dancehall ambassador – Jusa Dementor and journalist/motivational speaker Carol Nyazika, FASHIONGIVESBACK! 2011 will feature alluring designs from talented African designers whose works translate the African aesthetic for today’s global audience as well as local designers from the John Lewis. This includes Chipo Bespoke (http://www.chipobespoke.com), whose collection was the star attraction at the first ever Zimbabwe Fashion Week held in Harare last year. She will be presenting a brand new collection of elegant ladies wear, contemporary ethnic house – Chenai Chic (http://www.chenai-chic.co.uk); modern lifestyle brand Curvy Swan by Adel Kaseke; up and coming multicultural label Ladie Rachie (http://www.ladierachie.org) and Leicester based bespoke designer Cecy Styles. They will be joined by hotly tipped, British born Nigerian designer – Anike Midele (www.anikemidele.com), who wowed audiences at the annual Inspirational YOU showcase in London with her luxurious transatlantic women’s wear label specialising in printed fabrics and vintage inspired pieces.
The evening of glamour and fundraising aims to help fulfil the mission of two beneficiary charities; The True Vision Foundation and The Zimbabwe Benefit Foundation whose belief is “send a child to school, educate them for life”. Together these two organisations aim to provide payment of school fees for children in need as well as partnering with local schools through sustainable income generating projects. Zimbabwean born, London based songbird – Cynthia Mare, whose current single ‘Catch Me When I Fall’ is riding high in the national charts of both Zimbabwe and Nigeria is also confirmed to perform. She will be fresh from supporting the Grammy-Award winning artist – Sean Paul at Bristol 02 Academy on August 4.
Extensive support for this year’s FASHIONGIVESBACK! 2011 has come from a variety of sponsors including luxury car dealership BMW Sytner of Leicester who have generously donated their showroom for the evening. Steven Gough, Managing Director of BMW Sytner of Leicester says “BMW is extremely proud to host and sponsor such a heartfelt programme. FASHIONGIVESBACK! 2011 is an inspiring event and testament to the fact that together we can all make a difference”. Iconic British retailer, John Lewis is also a sponsor as is popular grocer Waitrose who will be providing canapés and champagne from their Waitrose Entertaining brand. Premium beauty brand Clarins are the official glam squad for FASHIONGIVESBACK! 2011. Other sponsors include Zimbabwean telecoms brand Econet and media partner Zimonlineradio. The event will also be filmed for Access Time, the showbiz programme on OBE TV (Sky channel 221), one of the biggest black entertainment networks in the UK broadcasting to over 8million viewers in the UK with a footprint that spans across Europe and Africa.
Event founder, Charlene Mukuzvazva says “I am honoured to be working with such an illustrious list of sponsors on the first ever FASHIONGIVESBACK! 2011 in aid of Zimbabwe’s forgotten children. Fashion is universal, personal and touches everyone in some way and I am excited to be using this event to reach people and showcase the creativity of Zimbabwean and international designers whilst raising money for this great cause.”
Tickets for the event (priced 22.50) are available via Eventbrite, book online at http://fashiongivesback2011-estw.eventbrite.com/ OR Call 07503 439 989.
FASHIONGIVESBACK! 2011 in aid of Zimbabwe’s Forgotten Children
Friday 19th August 2011
18.00 – 22.00
BMW Sytner Leicester
Meridian East
Meridian Business Park
Leicestershire
Le19 1UY
Featured Designers
Amike Midele – www.anikemidele.com
Chipo Bespoke – http://www.chipobespoke.com/home.html
Cecy Ctyles – http://www.myspace.com/cecyctyles
Ladie Rachie – http://www.ladierachie.org/
Chenai Chic – http://www.chenai-chic.co.uk/home.html
Curvy Swan by Adel Kaseke – https://marketplace.asos.com/listing/t-shirts/the-curvyswan-branded-t-shirt/120435
