With millions asking “what’s next for fashion week?”, designer Anifa Mvuemba of Hanifa answered the call. Anifa and her team redefined the future of fashion yesterday evening in hosting and creating the first-ever virtual fashion show with 3D models!
Hanifa’s fashion show had the fashion world abuzz before it even began. After releasing tantalizing virtual e-save-the-dates in the form of a floral floppy disk, it quickly became the event of the evening.
On Friday, May 22 at 7 pm, Hanifa was set to launch their very first virtual fashion show via Instagram Live, on the @HanifaOfficial Instagram page. The “Pink Label Capsule Collection”, #PinkLabelCongo seemed promising with lush marketing visuals including peaceful ocean water and swaying palm leaves against tropical pink backgrounds. We were prepared for summer-ready pieces but what Hanifa’s team surprised us with was so much more!
After an hour’s delay due to technical difficulties, loyal supporters from all over the world – Jamaica, London, NYC, and even Congo where it was 1:30 am – flocked to Hanifa’s Instagram comments to share messages of support: “deep breaths, you’re gonna kill it!” “I’m so excited for this collection.”
Anifa directed followers to head over to a previously top-secret Instagram page called @HanifaBridal to view the live presentation. The designer then felt compelled to unveil another secret, in confirming: “Yes. We will be doing bridal soon.”
At 8:30 pm, the presentation began with the signature floppy disk. An informative video segment opened the presentation detailing the natural beauty within the Democratic Republic of Congo contrasting with the unrest and violence that the people of Congo face due to unethical coltan mineral mining. Anifa spoke about her personal connection to the conflict and how she wants to use her platform to raise awareness. “I wanted this collection to support and benefit the families that are affected and the organizations that are actually doing the groundwork.”
Anifa went on to share the design process and inspiration behind the collection’s color palette: red, blue, and yellow just like the Congolese flag. Red symbolizing blood and lives lost, blue symbolizing peace, and yellow symbolizing hope.
With that, the presentation began. The first piece was a red pleated dress with graceful kimono sleeves. Flipped to another angle, we see that the piece features an open back with a blue and yellow bottom half.
But that wasn’t the only shocker catching viewers’ eyes. The dress glided or should I say floated across our screens and I could feel myself holding my breath. Are the models invisible? How is this possible?! Against a pitch-black background, the piece moved as though a curvaceous ghost were strutting across the room.
The collection featured five more looks including a double-peplum chambray jumpsuit (my personal favorite), a cargo maxi dress, a one-shoulder two-piece set with a gorgeous flowing skirt, a two-piece set with a unique asymmetrical top and a landscape painted across the skirt, and the final piece – a maxi dress also featuring a landscape with a cascading train on one hip and a draped shoulder on the opposite side.
Each piece moved so effortlessly and naturally that it was hard to believe there weren’t real human models wearing them. Earlier in the year, Anifa touched on the process of creating the 3D looks in saying “So I’ve been learning a new thing while quarantining.. to sustain my business during this crisis. I’ve been learning how to create new concepts by digitalizing my models and garments , Could this be the future of fashion?” It sure is.
Immediately after the presentation, the collection was available at Hanifa.co. Loyal followers crashed the website and nearly sold out the collection – a true sign of a brand in the hearts of many. Supporters flocked to congratulate Anifa and her team on quite literally making history but one comment truly stood out: “This is what fashion should be about.”
