ZAMBIA FASHION WEEK DESIGNERS

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ZAMBIA FASHION WEEK

Chulu Chansa (KuMushi)

Click here to view Chulu's designs from Zambia Fashion Week 2009

Chulu is based in Kabwe and Lusaka and designs under her KuMushi label.        

She went to school with the intention of being an architect and found she was interested in many things, so she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in architectural studies and looks forward to getting a Masters in architecture and an MBA while pursuing a career in fashion.

Although she has no professional fashion design training, Chulu taught herself how to use a sewing machine and picked up different techniques from fabric and art classes.  As a result, she is always learning more about clothes and the fashion industry.

She has also choreographed several fashion shows for fundraising events and organised spring fashion shows as part of the annual programme for a student fashion organisation she founded.

Chulu describes her designs as Afro-Chic, aiming to seamlessly fuse African influences with Western styles. She is inspired by her clients. “Women’s bodies are so complex and unique. KuMushi’s challenge is to use our style to make our clients feel comfortable, attractive and radiate confidence.”

The pieces KuMushi is presenting at Zambia Fashion Week are a mix of her first collection, Tendaii, with her new line, Savannah. Tendaii was about being bold, youthful and breaking out of stereotypes. Savannah, is a more conservative collection that is relaxed and for the sophisticated modern African woman. Chitenge is the main fabric used, along with a range of other materials based on the chitenge’s properties and the design.