Comments (0)

By Andrew, September 18, 2009 7:38 pm

For Mustafa Hassanali fashion was originally a hobby, but has since become his career. His passion for elegance, style, flamboyancy, glamour and glitz has not gone unnoticed by most of East Africa’s social crème de la crème.His collections have been shown widely throughout Africa and Europe and his exquisite handwork, detailed beadwork and creative ensemble embellishments have made Mustafa Hassanali a sought after brand name in the couture market.

His work has been showcased at the Durban and Cape Town fashion week, Vukani Fashion awards in Pretoria, Miss Ethiopia Beauty pageant, Mediterranean Fashion Festival in Sicily, Italy, Nokia face of Africa, Mozambique, Uganda and Kenya Fashion Week. To take Tanzanian fashion to the next level, he launched The First Annual Swahili Fashion Week on November 2008.”His work has been showcased at the Durban and Cape Town fashion week, Vukani Fashion awards in Pretoria, Miss Ethiopia Beauty pageant, Mediterranean Fashion Festival in Sicily, Italy, Nokia face of Africa, Mozambique, Uganda and Kenya Fashion Week. To take Tanzanian fashion to the next level, he launched The First Annual Swahili Fashion Week on November 2008.”

Mustafa Hassanali’s , is definetly a refreshing look at what could be the future of  a trend setting dialogue for the east of Africa and beyond, with designers ready to put their vision and effort on the runway it informs the public of what the possibilities are, while the public act as a feedback mechanism by showing their passion and appreciation and noticing what exists around them will begin to request for more authentic identity statements. His collections like many of his contemporaries throughout Africa are at thier infancy as compared to Europe, but because of this creative ensemble and steady growth in brand name recognition, the future of this scene is not just colourful it is also extremely bright . With the emphasis that designers like Hassanali have for giving back to the poor and disadvantaged the dialogue is in a healthy state.  Other designers and indeed artists who are ready to follow this formula will also enjoy a level of appreciation that will grow in what is an undeveloped and under invested market for women, and men. Mustapha is the new breed of African entepreneur it remains to be seen to what heights he can soar,  the story continues to unfold out there.