As anticipation builds in Bulawayo ahead of this weekend’s Denim on Pearls, attention has shifted from the spectacle itself to the growing influence the platform is having on Zimbabwe’s creative economy.
The event, now in its second edition, has evolved beyond a music and fashion showcase into a meeting point for artists, designers, DJs and entrepreneurs seeking visibility, collaboration and income opportunities in an industry where formal platforms remain limited.
Founder Sandra Ndebele said the concept was born out of the need to create space where creativity translates into opportunity.
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“This is about more than performing. It is about opening doors for partnerships, learning and sustainable growth for creatives,” she said.
This year’s edition brings together regional and local performers, including South African artist Dlala Mshunqisi, Zimbabwean groups Insimbi Zezhwane and Bhilah, and a strong lineup of local DJs, a mix organisers said reflects the cross-border reach the platform is beginning to attract.
Creatives said Denim on Pearls has become a rare space where fashion designers, stylists, musicians and promoters interact directly, often leading to bookings, brand collaborations and business ideas that extend beyond the event itself.
Sanditainment Group manager Robson Murambiwa said the focus is now on longevity.
“We are building a platform that supports creatives as businesses, not just performers. That shift is what makes this edition important,” he said.
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