THE PRODIGAL DAUGHTER (Fashfest feature)

When Phoebe Mwanza moved to Australia 13 years ago, she left her African roots behind. Or at least she thought she did.

Today, this local designer, originally from Zimbabwe, is taking a journey back to her roots through her fashion.

Phoebe, through her label The Prodigal Daughter, seeks to consolidate her two worlds and cultures, marrying Africa’s bold and colourful prints to Australia’s tempered, mute landscape.

‘Each piece I make is more than an item of clothing. It’s a statement,’ says Phoebe. ‘A way of celebrating individuality and the innate uniqueness that each of us are born with.’

 

This is Phoebe’s second time to the Hustle&Scout Twilight Fashion Market.

What will strike you, when you first rock up to her stall, is the splashes of colour and intriguing prints on her fabrics. It’s all the more striking when you consider Phoebe’s background is in law, a profession that makes many fashion fans yawn, with its preference for dull, mono and conservative clothing.

Phoebe arrived in Australia to study law at the tender age of 19. She graduated and then practiced law for 7 years. But something kept stirring in Phoebe, something related to fashion.

 

So last June, she left the legal profession and took the plunge work in fashion full-time.

‘When I was young, I often made my own clothes, including for end-of-year formals,’ says Phoebe. ‘I always wanted to pursue fashion design on a bigger scale.’

Phoebe sources her printed fabrics from different parts of Africa, including Ghana and Kenya, where her garments are also made after being designed here in Canberra.

 

 

Phoebe is also busy sewing for Hustle&Scout but also for FASHFEST.

This will be The Prodigal Daughter’s debut appearance at the four-night, red-carpet event and Phoebe can’t contain her excitement and sense of thrill at being involved. ‘It’s my first big show and I can’t wait for a larger audience to see my work.’ she says.

The collection Phoebe will launch at FASHFEST, entitled Meraki—which means to do something with all your soul—will take the designer to another level.

‘It’s different than my last collection, which only used prints,’ says Phoebe. ‘With Meraki, I’m mixing block colours and prints. There will be something for everyone. Funky pieces, sophisticated pieces and elegant ones, as well as something for day and something for night.’

In the meantime, Phoebe continues her story as The Prodigal Daughter, one who has left, kicked up a bit of a fuss and then returned to her roots.

 

 

 

Image credits:

 

Photographer: Vikram Vetrivel

Models: Naomi Isasole Kat and Julie Smith

HMUA: Kate Surplice

Jewellery: Tuga by KZ

Designer: The Prodigal Daughter