Sky is the limit for Amanda

Amanda Mtangadura is basking in glory after the Matabeleland Fashion Week took off to a flying start early this month.

Amanda Mtangadura is basking in glory after the Matabeleland Fashion Week took off to a flying start early this month.

NONHLANHLA SIBANDA OWN CORRESPONDENT

The event held in Bulawayo, attracted internationally acclaimed designers.

They included reigning Miss Commonwealth Botswana Portia Sam and globally acclaimed designer Maita Marimo.

Bulawayo fashion enthusiasts also voted with their feet as they thronged the Heath Streak Academy for a fun-filled weekend.

The 26-year-old Mtangadura was the brains behind the top class event.

Mtangadura, a self-confessed lover of art and fashion, says she put in a lot of effort to make the November event unforgettable.

She told Woza Weekend the Fashion Week was a dream come true for her as she was a hard worker.

“I have always dreamt of organising a big show, for me it’s a dream come true,” Mtangadura told Woza Weekend.

“I grew up without a father and I was raised by a single mother who taught me hard work.

“I am inspired by people around me because I learn new things from them.

“Besides the glitz and glamour, there was just too much hard work, which paid off at the end.”

Mutangadura is adamant the Matabeleland Fashion Week, which would be an annual event, will one day go a long in creating jobs and other business opportunities.

“I am proud to say some of the designers who showcased have their collections in local boutiques as a result of the show,” she said.

Some of the designs include Ohh la la lingerie that is now available at Bold and Beautiful Boutique and Umlongo at Femina Garments.

The event saw 10 designers — Gertrude Magwaro, Ohh la la, Immaculate, Litso, Shadow, BrandRoom, Umlongo, Maita Marimo, Ara Kani and the Bulawayo Board of Designers — each showcasing a collection of 15 “looks”.

There were also awards for designers that have made a mark in Matabeleland and Zimbabwe as a whole.

Mbo Mahocs, Gilmore Moyo and Ndau Collection won the female style icon of the year, male style icon of the year and international fashion contributor awards respectively.

 Gilmore Moyo
Gilmore Moyo

Nkululeko Ncube of Ara Kani scooped the best male designer award.

Born in Bulawayo on December 5 1987, Mtangadura is the third child in a family of five girls.

She went to Greenfield Primary School before enrolling at Chiredzi Primary School and later Dadaya High School.

Mtangadura relocated to Germany in 2007 for an au pair exchange programme where she took care of children of her host family and in exchange learnt their culture and language.

On her second year she took an etiquette course at Mannhein Model School.

“After finishing school I received the opportunity to go to Germany to be an au pair,” she said.

“I found the programme fascinating as I wanted to learn the German culture and languages.

“I decided to do a course in grooming and etiquette the next year.”

Mtangadura is well-travelled. She has been to France, Switzerland and Austria.

The image consultant moved back to Zimbabwe in 2009 and she opened Amanda Mtangadura (AM) Modelling Agency.

It specialises in grooming and etiquette courses for models, print, runway and makeup.

“The sky is the limit. The Matabeleland Fashion Week is here to stay,” she said.