By Maimuna Kubegeya 

Tanzanian designer Vida Mahimbo has set her sight towards conquering the fashion world with her creative khanga jeans collections.  After having successful exhibitions in New York last month, Vida stretched her conquests to Forte Dei Marmi, Italy, with the same collection. 

“I can say the show in the US was very successful and above all my reception was something befitting  a princess,” she says.   To add value to her exhibition, was New York-based Tanzanian model and former Miss Tanzania Millen Magese, who is a big hit with most Western fashion houses.

“Though she didn’t model for me on the night, I was excited to see the beauty queen all the way from my country wearing my piece and matching everything correctly. She looked great in my khanga jeans, and  was exited to wear real African prints presented in modern cuts and in the International quality.”  

Both exhibitions, according to Vida, had something unique to offer - from the location, the audience and even the countries.  Promotion of African designs In New York, for example, she had the opportunity to showcase among other African designers.

This was great, even without mixing with big names. She feels it augers well with the promotion of African designs.   “There is need to have a special day for African designers to in a place like New York so we can show our designs exclusively to the American markets.”   Whereas the US was great, Italy was even more special for Vida as she became the first African designer to showcase at the exclusive Beach Club Versillia.

Here, she met famous people like Patrizia D'Addario.  And though she did not meet the other big names in the Italian fashion industry, who had showcased four days earlier, she was contented with her uniqueness.  “That wasn’t the objective because my concept was completely different from anyone else’s in the world.

I am the only designer in the whole world, who has come up with a strong brand of khanga jeans from Africa and with a dream of dressing women in the whole world,” she says.  Her experience and the lessons learnt from the high and mighty could have a bearing in her career as she feels she is more appreciated abroad than back at home.  “In terms of big business, yes, Europe has everything already in the fashion industry.

But there is need to breathe some freshness into the industry,  and not always the black and white that has been happening forever.  According to the designer, that missing link would be complete with something from Africa: “The beautiful colours that explain our nature and beauty. Khanga as a symbolic design has traditional proverbs that communicate messages to the community,” she says.  

She thinks there is need to teach the Tanzanian community on issues regarding quality and not only price first, with a dream of seeing every girl dressed in some quality khanga.  The lesson learnt gives her the courage and vision that there is abundant market for African designs.  “African prints can be worn by anyone in the world if presented correctly. There is a very big opportunity for growth of African designers, we just need to be more creative and promote uniqueness,” says the 27-year-old designer. 

Having given the world a taste of Africa, she is ready to bring the pieces home with an exhibition in the coming month in Zanzibar.
She will be in Zanzibar for the 'Vida à la Plage', a fashion evening at the ocean shores to take her collection, and tell the stories of Europe and US back to those who inspired and accompanied her along the way.
 The only regrettable thing so far, however, is the fact that those licking their lips with excitement for these amazing collections will have to wait a little longer.  “They are not yet available until I launch the pieces at home and that should be before the end of the year.” Ends    

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