Design//Life Africa

05/11/2024

On show at “Contrast”, DPA.Art’s current exhibition at Dana B Savanna Camp, is the latest work by Kimberly T Gakanje. A graduate of the National Gallery’s School of Visual Art and Design, Kimberly focuses on non-representational paintings, and through her creative practice, celebrates her culture and identity while also addressing universal human experiences and perspectives.

“It is through this exploration that I discover a captivating alchemy between the tie and dye technique and a carefree, spontaneous approach to life,” says Kimberly. “By playing with paint and experimenting with textures, I aim to evoke a range of emotions and sensations within my work.”

Since completing her studies, Kimberly has participated in several group exhibitions showcasing emerging Zimbabwean artists, and is an artist in residence at Mbare Art Space.

1. Good Morning Fair Friends (2024). Canvas, fabric paint, spray paint, 110cm x 90cm. USD540
2. The Double (2024). Canvas, fabric paint, 133cm x 64cm. USD590
3. Untitled (2024). Canvas, fabric paint, 150cm x 73cm. USD350
4. Winter Camp (2024). Canvas, fabric paint, 85cm x 65cm. USD410

For more information, email: [email protected]

01/11/2024

We first met Nkosiyabo Frank last year at Mbare Art Space, where he’s currently a resident under the creative eye of celebrated Zimbabwean artist Moffat Takadiwa. Nkosiyabo and fellow artist William Joseph Kachinjika worked day and night to make customised totes for the Design//Life magazine launch party in December 2023.

Nkosiyabo’s huge, thought-provoking canvasses are currently on show at DPA Art’s exhibition, “Contrast”, running at the Dome at Dana B Savanna Camp; his work poses critical questions such as: “Tsika dzedudzechivanhu dzakayendepi?” (“Where have our traditions gone?”), prompting reflection on the balance between honouring ancestors and embracing progress.

Now Nkosiyabo is turning his attention to the fashion world with the launch of his new label Rebel Street Wear ZW with Sithabile Hlatshwayo, founder of Hooked Creations. Its customised clothing blends the old with the new, breathing new life into pre-worn pieces while celebrating “madhoiyiri”, Zimbabwe’s rich indigenous crotchet culture. The brand is already a hit – Zim superstar Delroy Shewe chose Rebel Street Wear denim for his performance at Freeman HKD’s album launch last weekend at Alex Park.

“We love how customised clothing allows for a unique sense of style,” says Nkosiyabo. “We want to create a new dawn in style by blending tradition with contemporary aesthetics.”

We’ll be watching, Nkosiyabo, can’t wait to see what you do next.
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01/11/2024

Happy Launch Day to one of our favourites, Flying Bantu, featured in the latest issue of Design//Life magazine, who release their album “Feja Feja” today.

Having weathered the Covid storm and come out flying, the band has been working tirelessly to make itself heard. Its exceptional performance at this year’s Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar was a just reward for their hard work and a brilliant showcase for their obvious talent.

“This album reflects the sentiments of loss that we all experienced during Covid,” frontman Nash tells Design//Life, “the feeling of missing someone and mourning the loss of the life that we led before. Loss is an emotion, and we need to celebrate all of our emotions, even the sadder ones,” he continues. “So even though there are darker themes to this album, there’s a real sense of joy to it too.”

You can experience a piece of this joy tonight, as Flying Bantu take to the stage at the River Brewing Co in Victoria Falls to celebrate their second album, lubricated by the River Brewing Co’s very own special Flying Bantu ale.

Congratulations, guys, have a great night!

30/10/2024

A R E Y O U R E A D Y ? Music, art, fashion and dancing – that sounds like our perfect weekend. Coming up, we’ve got the annual Jacaranda Art Show, an Afro vinyl session at Ela The Garden, “The Underground Gang” at Jasen Mpepho Little Theatre, not to mention Zimbabwe Fashion Week at ZICCA – and there’s much, much more. So, get out your diaries, gather your friends and enjoy an extremely fun weekend in Zimbabwe.
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29/10/2024

MURAL OF THE STORY White gallery walls are a great backdrop, sure, but it’s nice to have a little change once in a while; so it was such a delight to round the corner of What If The World gallery in Cape Town to see that its walls had been beautifully integrated with Hana Noor Mohammed’s artworks in her exhibition, “Rage Against The Dying Of The Light”. Would love to see more of this please.

29/10/2024

B R E A K I N G Zimbabwe Fashion Week has just announced a change of date and venue for this year’s event – it will take place THIS weekend, 31st October – 3 November, at the fabulous ZICCA space in the Old Greaterman’s Building in downtown Harare. “ZFW remains committed to delivering a vibrant showcase of fashion, creativity and culture, now set against the dynamic backdrop of Harare,” said ZFW Director Marshall Mutsamwira.

To get your tickets for the runways shows, workshops, panel discussions and fabulous parties, visit: www.zimbabwefashionweek.com
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28/10/2024

E V A N S A B O V E is proud to be showing two fabulous artworks by at DPA @ The Dome gallery near Harare.

It’s great to see that is also part of the “Kuvhunura: The Harare School” exhibition currently running in France - a fabulous display of work from 22 of Zimbabwe’s best artists.

Pop along to for your chance to buy one of wonderful works.

1. The Gambler, mixed media collage, 146cm x 180cm, US$1,250
2. Hair Goddess, mixed media collage, 81cm x 107cm, US$610

28/10/2024

P I C T U R E T H I S Wonderful to see artworks by on display at the “Kuvhunura: The Harare School” exhibition currently running in France. was lucky enough to get the scoop on the fantastic book “Zimbabwe - Art, Symbol And Meaning”, which produced with his mother Gill Atherstone, curator of traditional and contemporary art at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe from 1979-1988. It’s a fascinating read. Find out more in Issue 2 of Design//Life magazine, on sale now.

26/10/2024

R E A D A L L A B O U T I T proudly representing at this year’s Fabrik Party Convention - our latest issue is available to buy at the Fabrik pop-up along with the finest pieces from

24/10/2024

L E T ‘ S P A R T Y This weekend Harare plays host to the Fabrik Party Convention . Don’t miss your chance to be part of one of this year’s most comprehensive and coolest collections of Zimbabwean fashion and music.

21/10/2024

Also such a treat to see some work by Zimbabwean artist at especially this piece - “This Was the Old Chief’s Country (Colonial Africa)”

21/10/2024

Such a gorgeous start to the week seeing new show ‘Scribe’ Beautiful colours and such imagination ❤️

17/10/2024

L I F E T H R O U G H H E R L E N S is the ultimate all-round creative. Not only is Sandra a great writer - look out for her music columns in upcoming issues of - she’s a brilliant photographer too. Sandra describes her images as “poetry in motion”, each one intuitively capturing the essence of city life, revealing the rhythm, energy and fleeting beauty found in urban spaces.

Her entries to the “Contrast” exhibition at DPA @ The Dome drew a great deal of admirations and it was an honour to introduce her work to a whole new audience. We can’t wait to see what she does next.

1. Guta Gura (Big City), photo on canvas, A2 - SOLD
2. Back to School, photo on canvas, A3 - $120
3. Rwendo (The Journey), photo on canvas, A3, SOLD
4. Off We Go With The Bicycle, photo on canvas, A2, $155
Sales enquiries:

17/10/2024

16/10/2024

F I R S T – C L A S S S E C O N D H A N D I love thrifting – no visit to a new city is without a trip to at least a couple of markets (as my groaning wardrobe rails can attest). I’m also not a fan of fast fashion, so wearing something preloved makes it all the more satisfying.

But I know that sifting through piles of other people’s cast-offs isn’t for everyone, so let me introduce you to – Zimbabwe’s most discerning vintage expert. Kembo has the skill, let me tell you - my Comme des Garçons tee and these leopard high tops are my current favourites. He’s set up shop at the pop-up, open from 11am-4pm, so get down there ASAP. If there’s a secondhand gem to be found, this man will find it.

14/10/2024

I N T R O D U C I N G This small but mighty series of paintings by Yananiso Kunaka on display at “Contrast”, the exhibition at DPA @ The Dome. Together the canvasses create quiet, but individually they pack a punch. Lovely to have you with us, Yananiso!

1. Searchment
2. Gara Dziva
3. Time & Changes 2
4. Time & Changes 1
5. Vazvari Zvakara
All 30x30cm, acrylic on canvas, $190 each. For more info, contact

14/10/2024

B E A U T I F U L Z I M When your Sundays look like this, you know it’s going to be a great week. Happy Monday, everyone 🌟

13/10/2024

On Tuesday night, an enormous, devastating fire ripped through Mbare Musika, one of our city’s most vibrant markets, robbing almost 5,000 people of their livelihoods, stock and savings. cover photographer and contributor visited the site today to document the aftermath and devastation.

“So many people lost so much,” Lennox says. “We need to come together to help. If we can donate to other countries when they have disasters, why can’t we do the same here?”

The market people of Mbare need blankets, food, water, tables and tarps - anything to help them set up shop again. If you have any of these things you can donate, or transport to help those who do, please reach out to each other and connect. Community is what Zim does best. Thank you.
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