INATUR Challenge 2021, at MFW
Fashion designer Ilda Semedo was the winner
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MICULTUR), through the National Tourism Institute (INATUR) and the National Institute for the Cultural and Creative Industries (INICC), took part this year, for the first time, in Mozambique Fashion Week.
During the fashion week, which ran from 7 to 11 December, MICULTUR was present showcasing tourism and cultural potential, thereby promoting Mozambique as a destination of choice, for both domestic and international tourism. The highlight of its participation was the INATUR CHALLENGE show, featuring the Capulana of the Mozambique Brand. This is a new INATUR product, at which the award for Best Designer of the INATUR CHALLENGE was presented: Ilda Semedo. For the prize, the designer won a cheque for 50,000 meticais and the right to two nights, for two people, at the White Pearl Resorts holiday resort, in Ponta Mamoli. Ilda Semedo was selected from among 30 designers challenged to take part, standing out as the designer who produced a piece that was communicative and fully illustrative of the promotion of tourism.
The Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Fredson Bacar, closed MFW 2021 with an appeal to DDB and to all promoters of the national fashion industry to be the force for change that the fashion industry needs in order to become more conscious and sustainable, stressing that sustainability lies not only in good practices in making fashion pieces, but also in conscious attitudes and consumption choices: "Choosing alternatives that are less harmful to the planet should be the consumer's perfect alternative. Our fashion industry must offer, encourage and embrace the change we need to save the planet."
Bacar also reiterated the Government's greetings to DDB Moçambique and its partners for doing their part in promoting and developing Mozambican arts and culture through fashion, creating events of this kind that serve as a workshop and incubator of opportunities for many designers, models and artists to showcase their creativity.
Among the many objectives it seeks to achieve, MFW essentially aims to become a showcase for promoting Mozambique's culture and tourism, putting the country on the international fashion map. It is because it is in line with the Government's objectives that the Ministry of Industry and Tourism embraces the initiative.
Held under the theme “New age: Fashion Forward", this edition of MFW, already the 17th, took the form of fairs, exhibitions, workshops and shows interspersed with performances by various musicians. This year it brought together 78 designers – nine of them from South Africa, Angola and Japan –, 23 brands and 46 young designers.
MFW exceeds expectations and moves forward into the new era
Mozambique Fashion Week (MFW) continues to inspire generations and to prove that fashion overcomes barriers and is resilient, as does DDB's commitment to making this event a true milestone for the new era.
In a single venue, Indy Village, from 7 to 11 December, the public was able to enjoy shows and exhibitions, take part in fairs and spend unique moments at one of the biggest fashion catwalks in Africa.
This year's theme was a continuation of the 2020 concept. However, the event focused on the reality of the new normal and on the beauty of being a human being. This was the keynote of the social responsibility campaign. Aware that “Every human being, by being human, is beautiful”, the initiative promotes love for differences.
Despite the restrictions imposed by Covid-19, the MFW organisers managed to stitch together a fashion week that exceeded expectations. The numbers speak for themselves: some 60 models wore pieces by more than 70 designers.
