Thrift & Threads Set to Launch Zimbabwe’s Premier Platform for Emerging Fashion Talent

A new fashion initiative, Thrift & Threads, is set to debut on October 4, aiming to accelerate the careers of Zimbabwe’s emerging creative talent. The bi‑monthly event is curated by Mcheno and More, an online platform that marks its third anniversary this year. Thrift & Threads moves the spotlight from digital screens to live stages and market stalls, creating a tangible space for youth-driven fashion, music, and art.

Event director Kingstone Zimunya told NewsDay Life & Style that Mcheno and More was created to document Zimbabwean youth culture through fashion and art. “Thrift & Threads aims to elevate the careers of emerging creatives in fashion, music and art,” he said.

The inaugural edition will carry a Retro theme, inviting guests to draw inspiration from fashion styles spanning the 1960s to the 2010s. Attendees can expect a dynamic runway featuring four brands, three homegrown stall-based labels, and three curated thrift retailers. A dedicated Retro Room will provide a photo booth, free snacks, and printed keepsake photos, adding an interactive dimension to the event experience.

Over 50 creatives across fashion, music, modeling, and craft are involved in the first edition. Guests will also have the chance to win a surprise prize in a raffle at the end of the night.

Sustainability and inclusion are central to Thrift & Threads. Selected thrift retailers focus on redefining second-hand shopping by offering cleaned, authenticated designer pieces and curated looks, challenging the traditional disorder associated with bhero markets. Zimunya explained, “We hope to spark conversations around sustainability in fashion, spotlight emerging designers and retailers, and provide a platform for young creatives to network.”

The event addresses a gap in Zimbabwe’s fashion industry, where most platforms favor established names. Organisers distinguish between established brands, which are typically five years or more in the industry with consistent production, clear identity, and runway exposure, and emerging designers who often have strong creative talent but lack branding, production know-how, and market access. Thrift & Threads provides these missing elements as a launchpad for careers.

Music programming will spotlight alternative and evolving sounds, with performers not usually featured on commercial radio. The show will open with a traditional musical performance, which organisers intend to make an ongoing feature. “Inasmuch as we are building the future, we believe an appreciation of the past is essential,” Zimunya added.

Targeting primarily 18 to 23-year-olds, Thrift & Threads is designed as a youth-centred creative meet-up for designers, stylists, DJs, models, photographers, and content creators. Long-term plans include expanding the format to other Zimbabwean cities and supporting participating retailers and designers beyond the event, helping build sustainable income streams and shifting public perception about thrifted and homegrown fashion.

Thrift & Threads promises a fresh, inclusive, and sustainable approach to Zimbabwean fashion, offering emerging talent a platform to showcase skills, connect with peers, and engage audiences beyond digital spaces.