Highfield to High Fashion: Yemurai Chabuka's Stitc...

Highfield to High Fashion: Yemurai Chabuka's Stitch in Time

Yemurai Chabuka

By Rutendo Mazhindu - ZimNow Reporter

From the vibrant streets of Highfield to the spotlight of Zimbabwe’s fashion runways, 24-year-old Yemurai Chabuka is stitching her way into history as one of the country’s most exciting young designers.

Chabuka is winning hearts with her bold designs that blend cultural identity with modern elegance , a reflection of her roots, creativity, and resilience.

“I was born and raised in Highfield,” she said. “It’s where I found my strength. It’s loud, it’s alive, and it taught me to dream big even when I had little.”

Chabuka’s journey began as a child, sketching dresses in old school notebooks and cutting patterns out of newspaper.

“I’ve loved drawing and designing for as long as I can remember,” she said. “Even when I didn’t know it was called fashion design, I knew it was what I wanted to do.”

With no formal fashion school training, Chabuka taught herself the craft by attending local fashion shows and watching tutorials on YouTube.

“That’s where I learned everything: how to cut, how to sew, how to finish a garment. The internet became my classroom,” she said.

She started her label, "ZviMoyo by Yemurai", with a borrowed sewing machine and a small table in her family’s lounge. Her first clients were neighbours, church friends, and relatives who believed in her talent before the fame.

“I remember delivering dresses on foot, carrying my sketchpad in a plastic bag,” she said. “I was tired, but happy. Every piece I made felt like a step closer to my dream.”

Her designs are a bold fusion of past and present — African prints, clean lines, and powerful messages woven into every outfit.

Her latest collection, Madzitateguru (Ancestors), received standing ovations at Harare Fashion Week for its spiritual depth and modern aesthetic.

“My work is about pride in who we are, where we come from, and where we’re going,” she said. “I want people to wear Zimbabwe with confidence.”

Beyond fashion, Chabuka is passionate about empowering others. She runs free weekend workshops in Highfield for young girls, teaching them design basics and encouraging them to dream beyond their surroundings.

“Fashion gave me a voice, and I want to give that voice to others,” she said. “You don’t need a rich background or fancy equipment. All you need is fire in your heart and the courage to start.”

“We can be fashionable and responsible at the same time,” she said.

“I want to take Zimbabwean fashion to the world not as a copy, but as something original, powerful, and proud.”

From sketching in Highfield to commanding the runway, Yemurai Chabuka is living proof that talent, drive, and self belief can turn even the smallest thread into something extraordinary.