The ManicaPost
Ann Ruthenburg Fashion & Beauty
HELLO there everyone, I hope you are enjoying your summer thus far. Today, I am playing the role of mother more than fashion diva. Why! Because I found myself on the unfortunate end of a situation many people in our city have experienced.
You see, a few weeks ago, I rapped some of our buyers and residents over the knuckles because I felt they were not supporting our local designers and dressmakers. I showcased one or two of our local designers right here. It was not long, though, that some residents and buyers gave me the reasons why they do not support our locals:
- They promise more they can produce
- They accept money when they know they cannot deliver
- The finished product lacks excellence
- Major delays in delivering the product
Sadly, as much as I tried to ignore these complaints, I myself recently experienced the same issues. I confidently referred a good client who wanted suits for the groom and grooms-men from one of our now famous local designers. The original meeting with the designer was very promising, and my faith in Mutare becoming the preferred fashion designers city was at my fingertips.
One month later, the client still had no sample material as promised by the designer. No measurements were taken of the wedding party, etc. All the client had was lots of promises made on WhatsApp and voice mails by the designer. Sadly, the wedding is fast approaching, and so the client was forced to turn to the much favoured wedding garment producers — China!
It took two weeks for the groom to order and receive his suit and the grooms-men’s suits. I am so embarrassed and disappointed. I have noticed that designers and dressmakers believe that fame and success come for free. You have to pay a price before you gain success. There is a reason why the fashion industry is controlled by only a handful of designers.
It is hard work and it takes time, courage, excellence and creativity before the money. Vision and hard work will always attract finances, not the other way around. Demanding for money when you know you can’t produce is the height of dishonesty no matter which industry you are in. Accepting business deals when you know you cannot deliver is just as dishonest.
How can we promote our people internationally, when they are letting us down locally?
The state of our economy is not an excuse because there are people in other African countries with worse economies who are making things work the right way. Please hear my heart, it is not all the designers messing up here, but the one or two who are misbehaving are making the whole look bad.
I believe there is nothing wrong embarking on bigger projects than you are used to, but be honest with your clients so that they walk the growth road with you. If you start off lying about what you can do, you will have to continue lying until someone gets angry. I have now told myself I will only promote designers who are tried and tested and have at least two people testifying of the good work the designer has done.
To all those whom I have referred to a certain designer and have been let down, may I publicly apologise. If, however, there are people out there who know of good, excellent, proven designers, please message me with the details and I will be more than happy to showcase them right here. I still trust and believe that there are great and creative designers and dressmakers in the city of Mutare waiting to be discovered.
- Fashion Diva can be messaged on 077293845 or emailed on [email protected]
