Mukoki the Young Entrepreneur
Zimbabwe is going through an interesting time. As a resident of Harara, the capital city, it’s fascinating to discover new things about the country including the blossoming talents that are claiming a stake in the Zimbabwean story. Once such talent is Mufaro Mukoki a young designer and entrepreneur. Her journey is worth telling. Find below excerpts of our conversation. Enjoy!
Q. What are Important lessons?
A. You need to set yourself apart from the rest by developing your own unique signature style. Trends are great but trends only last a season. You need to be able to stand the test of time and the only way to do that is to find your unique contribution, master and perfect it. Know your worth. Your financial worth and the value of your time. Artists are always undervalued and underrated. It is up to us to stand up for what we deserve. Believe in yourself, you have it in you to achieve anything you want to achieve and put in the work to be as great as you want to be. Hard work always pays off.
Photo Credit: Mufaro Mukoki.
Q. Was this always your plan in life?
A. It was. I went to High School knowing I needed to make all the best decisions I can in order to help me become a fashion designer one day. I knew even then that I wanted to be a fashion designer. I loved art. Art was everything to me. I had to become some sort of artist. Fashion always seemed to be the best compromise between creativity, freedom and financial stability within that field. I settled for that.
Q. Did you formally study the trade?
A. Yes, I did. I graduated with an Honours Degree in Fashion at STADIO (Formerly known as LISOF) in South Africa.
Q. What's the name of your business, where is it based and how long has it been since you started?
A. Mukoki Lab. It is based in South Africa and Zimbabwe mainly online. The main focus of the business is providing sewing pattern and fashion design services to hobbyists and other fashion businesses. However, we do also create custom garments to order. I officially registered the business in March last year. But I had been working towards building the brand image since I started my tertiary education. It has been a project a long time in the making. I have a soft spot for tailoring. I have had the wonderful opportunity to use it as a tool in my fashion and I feel my journey with tailoring has really evolved to help me express what I need to see through fashion.
Q. What has been the highest point in your work? What are some of the important lessons you have learnt through your experiences?
A. The competitions I won, definitely. I won a Trashion Show (fashion from trash) the year before I started my undergrad. I was competing against some people that were already known on the Zimbabwe Fashion scene, and to win, as young as I was, was a huge deal. I felt I had proven to those that had doubted my chosen career that I had made the right decision. I won the SA Fashion Week Student Competition in 2017 and that solidified that I belonged within the industry and the years of hard work had paid off. Another huge highlight was just launching my business. That transition from simply being a creative to an entrepreneur as well was just monumental and a game changer for me. Other highlights include amazing opportunities like getting to work with people like Chi Mhende.
Photo Credit: Mufaro Mukoki.
Q. What are Important lessons?
A. You need to set yourself apart from the rest by developing your own unique signature style. Trends are great but trends only last a season. You need to be able to stand the test of time and the only way to do that is to find your unique contribution, master and perfect it. Know your worth. Your financial worth and the value of your time. Artists are always undervalued and underrated. It is up to us to stand up for what we deserve. Believe in yourself, you have it in you to achieve anything you want to achieve and put in the work to be as great as you want to be. Hard work always pays off.
Q. Are there any groups available to you in Zimbabwe, which assist you when you need some information and/or resources to grow your business?
A. Not really. Generally finding information or anyone willing to share is a bit difficult here. You mostly just figure it out as you go and build connections that help. The fabric store I frequent (HTC Fabrics) is sort of building a community/program with the designers coming to their store, offering assistance, discounts and information. That’s nice.
Q. What is the outlook for yourself and your business?
A. To grow. That is the biggest outlook right now. Grow and expand throughout Africa and the rest of the world. I hope to one day grace the Paris runways with a sustainable and socially responsible brand. Inclusivity is also an important goal. I hope to one day cater to all bodies; fully abled bodies, people with disability, etc.
Q. Any words to share with anyone who is interested in the garment design and trade arena?
A. Be passionate. You have to be sure that fashion is something that is meant for you because it is not something that is easy. Like anything, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. If it is for you, work hard everyday to master it, read every book, watch every video that will get you closer to realizing your dream. Realize the power of fashion. It can express and communicate what words sometimes cannot. It can change a mood, it can start revolution and it can bring people together. Once you realize this and fully understand it, there is no limit to what you can do with fashion.
Jekanyika is a writer