Meet Vimbai Mbanje, a fashion communication graduate from Birmingham City University. Vimbai’s final year project is a publication called Sonke, from her Ndebele mother tongue meaning “together, all of us, as one”. The publication aims to bring all women of colour together while highlighting their experiences and spreading awareness of the everyday experiences of Black people. Read on to learn more!
What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at university?
For the duration of my 4 years study in Fashion, the general notions of what it entails (clothes, design etc.) has become more aloof and university has taught me to appreciation the things that power the way in which fashion is perceived to a point where it has now become an imperative element within my own creative practises. An obligation to study and unearth the numerous obstacles challenged within society including; social injustices, political movements, beauty standards, the underrepresentation of black females and a plethora of other battles is what the forefront of my work denotes and that's a valuable thing I learnt and applied to my own work because of my university.
Tell us about your current projects and work, what have you been working on?
Contributing to the upsurge of black culture and spreading awareness of the everyday experiences of black people has been an integral aim of for my graduate project. It is imperative that we shed light and educate both majority and minority groups on matters affecting the black community within the fashion industry. This is the foundation on which the final project is built on. Sonke, from my Ndebele mother tongue meaning “together, all of us, as one” is a publication built to bring all women of colour together while highlighting our experiences.
What form does your final project take?
The publication separated into a collection of 3 zines and a video: 'Sonke Hair' is all about supporting the natural hair movement. Devoted to the elevation of change within society’s view when it comes to our afro hair, this zine is dedicated to the many women who have been made to feel inadequate and have been attacked as well as belittled due to our hair textures. Our hair is our crown and our pride and no one can take that away from us. -'Sonke Home'- Since the Sonke is the definition of together, it’s vital to demonstrate Africa as the central part of that togetherness.
It is home, and home is always where the heart is. I want readers to appreciate and celebrate where they come from as well as give them a taste of what some readers would recognise within their childhood. By doing that, the zine becomes personal and easily related for the audience thus forming a relationship with the publication and all it stands for. -'Big Issue' gathers a few of the many the experiences of black people as they express what the “big issue” with society is to them when it comes to being black in this world.
This was a beautiful yet emotional opportunity for me myself to personally hear the struggles of my fellow black females make it my responsibility to deliver their thoughts and emotions through this zine without restriction. -Video featuring black women voicing what it means to be a black female as well as the voices of mothers in the black community
How have you evolved as a young creative while studying / working?
BA (Hons) in Fashion with Communication has ensured I've evolved as a young creative as my perspective had changed. Instead of being fixed on the general knowledge of fashion (of which I only included as designing), it has endorsed the prospect of venturing into trend forecasting, editorial, styling and graphics while guaranteeing my purpose within each project lies behind the revelation of societal issues and a projection of the minority. I have evolved through my ability to conceptualise with deeper purpose, evolved through the many skills learnt as well as my willingness to learn the many aspects of fashion that I didn't realise where there before.
What are the messages and themes behind your project that you want people to take away? Do explore any topics like diversity, sustainability or politics in your work?
There is a need for more black female representations in the industry; especially in the light of the recent black lives matter movements where many fashion brands such as Missy Empire, I saw it first and Oh Polly are being exposed. We have witnessed the public and civil rights organisations express contempt for the lack of black creatives, non-inclusion of black models & failure to pay black collaborators. I wanted to generate a publication that celebrates and discusses the experiences of black women. Discussions included within my zines are about the black lives matter movement, natural hair movement and the general topic of home, looking back on where we come from as black people. The purpose was not only for black women to feel empowered, it was also to encourage other people to learn more about our experience and educate themselves of issues that are going on.
What’s an aspect of the fashion industry that you’re passionate about fixing or having a positive impact on?
More platforms need to be created for black women to express and celebrate their culture, thoughts and perspectives. According to Nielsen, "Throughout 2017, popular brands witnessed the power of black Twitter and the brand impact of socially conscious black consumers. Through social media, black consumers have brokered a seat at the table. There's a demand that brands and marketers speak to them in ways that resonate, culturally and experientially" which is what Sonke aims to do. The ability to take that on and having instinctual market awareness and conceptual thinking of what the industry needs is estimable. The industry needs more black people in powerful roles.
What is your plan for the future?
The vision and future for Sonke is to formulate a brand that provides a high platform for women to empower and support each other. It should be a place for all of us to connect, give advice, give opportunities and for me to generate more zines and grow as a brand. Also, my plan is to have Sonke recognised by magazines and brands with bigger platforms such as DAZED and i-D to feature my work and spread its message as well as acknowledgment from the industry that there is a need for more black individuals to be recognised within the field of work. Furthermore, continuously discussing social issues within the black community, educating individuals on our experiences and celebrating black culture as a whole is a step forward toward change.