The 14 year-old Tawile Kumsinda mystified patrons to the 2015 up and coming designers over the weekend when she came top among five contestants during an event Fashion Malawi Edition (FAME) organized at Don Bosco Institute in the capital Lilongwe.
The development comes amid preparation of the 2015 FAME main event slated for October, 2015 where local and international designers will showcase their products ranging from traditional to sport wears for men and women.
Tawile who is schooling at St. Andrew International in Blantyre imaged the winner catering home MK50,000 courtesy of Lily Aphonso –a professional designer after she showcased designs for the label Tazma fashions which is owned by herself and her mother.
Her latest designs are part of a collection called, “ Fourteen Fifteen”, and it is all about accentuating lines and net materials that showcase the body and using trending summer colours such as red, blue and yellow which focus on trendsetting as such the designs have components that can easily be incorporated into every day fashion.
In an exclusive interview with The Maravi Post on Saturday, August 22, 2015 upon imaged as the ever young upcoming designer, Tawile expressed amusement towards the patronage on her designs saying the recognition was an opener for international stage where her products were earmarked for better markets.
“This is unbelievable for coming as the winner amongst best designers who are already on the market with products. I just developed passion in designing since at tender age till now. I owe the recognition to my mother who has been on my side when I decided to follow her steps in profession of designing.
“Although still schooling, I’m looking for international stage with profitable markets for the products which will make big. Thus, the call must go to fellow upcoming designers to live on their dreams that one day will make it the same way has happened to me”, urges Tawile.
The Maravi Post later caught up with Zilanie Nyundo, FAME’s Executive Director on passionate shown among youngsters in designing, who was delighted with the zeal Tawile demonstrated saying the industry future looked bright for the nation.
“This very amazing seeing a girl as old as 14 coming up with well-crafted attires by incorporating traditional and basketball sportswear. It’s a first of this kind for FAME to have such a young person passionate about designing. The very astonishing fact is that Tawile isn’t a professional and never gone for studies on designing but she has made it top.
“It’s in this regard that she has been given an automatic chance to compete at the professional stage of 2015 FAME main event slated for October. We want to nature such talent amongst young upcoming designers.
“Therefore, I calling upon those passionate about designing to come and join us for a collective effort in lobbying government to come up with good policies which will facilitate importation of fabrics used for our products”, appeals Nyundo.
