Entertainment Desk
HARARE — The latest edition of Zimbabwe Fashion Week (ZFW), hosted last week at The Venue in Avondale, has drawn severe regulatory scrutiny and industry condemnation following allegations that organizers fielded underage models on the runway.
Industry stakeholders have raised formal concerns over the appearance of models under the age of 18, a practice prohibited under standard labor and child protection frameworks governing commercial modeling events.
“Well, the event was okay but marred by the fielding of some models who were below the age of 18 which is not allowed at law,” said an industry player who observed the showcase.
A second sector representative corroborated the breach:
“Using minors on the runway compromises the ethical standards of our creative sector, and regulatory bodies must step in to hold event producers accountable for statutory compliance.”
The controversy compounds a long-standing history of administrative friction trailing the Priscilla Chigariro-led platform, which has previously faced public spats over designer compensation, logistical disruptions and shifting venues.
According to sources close to the developments, the latest operational lapses stem from severe financial distress.
The event’s primary financial benefactor, Allen Gessen (Chigariro ex husband), was arrested and subsequently sentenced in the United States in connection with federal charges, abruptly severing the organization’s core funding pipeline. Stripped of its primary financial backing, ZFW has reportedly resorted to compromised operational practices and cost-cutting measures to maintain solvency and keep the showcase afloat.
Representatives for Zimbabwe Fashion Week have yet to issue an official statement addressing the statutory age compliance allegations or the financial status of the organization.
Efforts to get in touch with Chigariro hit a snag as she was not reachable at the time of writing.
