The Skeyi & Strobo Fabrik Party, a community-led arts and design convention, is set to return to the capital later this month, celebrating Zimbabwe’s underground creative scene through fashion, music and visual arts.
The event, running from 24 to 26 October 2025 at Alliance Française de Harare, aims to spotlight subcultures that are often overlooked by mainstream platforms.
Founded in 2020 by multidisciplinary artist Ulenni Okandlovu, the Fabrik Party has grown from a one-day activation to a three-day creative convention.
Organisers say the platform has mentored and showcased more than 300 artists across various disciplines, including fashion, film, music, and photography.
“Fabrik Party is a movement of forward thinkers, taste-makers and visionaries who are shaping the Zimbabwean creative scene,” said Okandlovu in an interview with 263Culture.
Platform for emerging talent
Since its inception, the Fabrik Party has served as a launchpad for emerging designers, stylists, and performers.
Many of those involved have gone on to participate in major festivals and fashion weeks, while others now style some of Zimbabwe’s biggest artists.
The initiative targets a wide audience — from families and fashion lovers to art enthusiasts keen to experience alternative cultures.
“We’ve always wanted to create a space where underground artists can collaborate and collectively showcase their work.”
Workshops, performances and runway shows
This year’s edition will open with a free workshop day focused on learning, capacity building and artist exchanges. A guest facilitator from South Africa will lead a music workshop designed to help local creatives build sustainable global brand partnerships.
On Saturday, local artists, including Bhekiwe, Israel, Acid Tears, and DJs from the Femme Sonic and On Fire collective, will take to the stage.
Hands-on training sessions in screen printing, zine making, styling, photography and DJing will also run throughout the day.
Sunday will feature fashion runway showcases with designers from Harare, Bulawayo, Marondera, Kwekwe and Victoria Falls.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can also explore streetwear stalls as well as street and fine art exhibitions. Gates open daily from 11:00 to 20:00.
Facing challenges amid growth
While the platform has grown significantly, organisers say the expansion has brought new challenges.
“Over the years, we’ve been self-funding, but the scale of the event has increased.
“We’re now facing financial and resource limitations in executing our vision the way we want to.”
He also highlighted the need for greater investment in Zimbabwe’s fashion industry, pointing to high production costs and competition from imported counterfeit clothing.
“Designers are doing great work, but there’s a lack of local production facilities,” he said. “The biggest threat isn’t second-hand clothes — it’s fake merchandise imported in bulk.”
Expanding beyond Zimbabwe
Fabrik Party has held activations and collaborations in other cities, including Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Gweru and Chinhoyi. They have also crossed the border into Zambia and Eswatini.
Organisers say their goal is to position Zimbabwean creatives on the global stage by nurturing talent and creating spaces for collaboration.
Zimbabwe’s Fashion Scene on the Rise
Zimbabwe’s fashion industry is undergoing a quiet but steady transformation.
Over the past few years, a new generation of designers, stylists and cultural entrepreneurs has been driving a shift from imported trends to homegrown creativity.
Across cities like Harare and Bulawayo, young designers are blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, producing work that is gaining recognition beyond the country’s borders.
Runway shows, pop-up markets, and community-led initiatives such as the Fabrik Party have become vital spaces for showcasing this talent.
These platforms offer an alternative to mainstream fashion events, giving visibility to designers who operate outside commercial fashion houses.
However, the sector faces significant structural challenges.
Many designers work with limited access to production facilities and rely on personal funding to grow their labels.
High material costs and competition from imported counterfeit clothing have also made it difficult for small brands to scale up.
Despite this, there is a strong sense of momentum. Local stylists are increasingly taking the lead in dressing top artists and shaping contemporary cultural identity.
The rise of creative collaborations with musicians, visual artists and streetwear brands has also helped redefine how Zimbabwean fashion is perceived — not just as clothing, but as a reflection of identity, politics and youth culture.
Industry observers say that with the right investment and regulatory support, Zimbabwe could be a hub for innovative fashion in the region.
For many creatives, the ambition is not just to participate in global trends, but to help shape them.
Skeyi & Strobo Fabrik Party Details
Dates: 24–26 October 2025
Venue: Alliance Française de Harare
Time: 11:00 – 20:00 daily
