Bulawayo fashion brand GK.LAN under the wings of Langa Ndlovu recently took its designs to South Africa, showcasing at the Durban Fashion Fair which was held from
To Langa, the trip was an opportunity to step outside the familiar local fashion scene, meet other designers and see how they approach their work.
“Durban Fashion Fair offered me exposure to international standards and the opportunity to learn how other designers tell their stories through fashion,” he said.
Showcasing alongside designers from South Africa and other countries also gave him a chance to look at his own work differently, particularly when it came to construction, fabric choices and finishing.
“It challenged me to look more critically at my own construction, fabric choices and finishing. It made me realise the importance of constantly improving my craftsmanship and paying attention to every detail,” he said.
When it comes to working from the city of Kings and Queens can come with challenges, especially when it comes to sourcing certain fabrics.
However, Langa said this has also forced him to be creative with the materials available to him.
“As a Bulawayo-based designer, access to high-quality fabrics can be limited, but that has taught me to be more creative with the resources available to me,” he said.
The Durban Fashion Fair also gave him the chance to meet people beyond the designer community.
He connected with textile suppliers and other fashion industry professionals, with some of those relationships potentially leading to future collaborations.
“I also met people I can potentially collaborate with in curating and participating in other fashion shows. These connections have opened my mind to new possibilities for GKLAN and building relationships beyond Bulawayo,” he said.
The designer now wants to use what he learnt from the experience to improve the brand, with garment quality and finishing being among his immediate priorities.
“My first priority is to improve the quality and finishing of my garments to meet international standards,” he said.
One particular design at the fashion fair that also caught his attention a dress made entirely from feathers.
“There was a dress made entirely from feathers and the way it was constructed really challenged my thinking,” he said.
The piece made him think about materials differently and the role that sustainability can play in fashion.
“It made me realise that fashion is not only about using conventional fabrics, but also about exploring unconventional materials and embracing sustainability,” he said.
Away from the technical side of fashion, the response from audiences in Durban also gave him an opportunity to see how Zimbabwean identity connects with people outside the country.
“The response from the international audience in Durban taught me that Zimbabwean stories have a global appeal.
“Our identity is unique, and our craftsmanship is just as valuable,” he said.
While there was plenty for him to learn in Durban, he believes the exchange also went both ways. He carried Bulawayo’s culture and heritage with him and shared that perspective with the designers and people he met.
“I believe I brought a unique perspective rooted in Bulawayo’s culture and heritage.
“I believe cross-border collaborations can create a stronger, more connected fashion industry in Southern Africa. They allow us to share ideas, skills, resources and cultural stories while learning from one another,” said Langa