Tunga T’s Tumaz: Zimbabwean Designer Brand Aiming for Global Fashion Success

POPULAR musician-cum-designer and member of the urban grooves outfit M’afriq, Tunga T, has set his sights on expanding his designer brand, Tumaz, to the international market.

With its remarkable success among local artists and models, Tumaz has already made waves in Europe. Tunga T himself recently performed at Harare’s highly anticipated urban grooves concert.

In an exclusive interview with EnterSportNews, Tunga T expressed his ambitious desire to surpass even the global giant Nike. He proudly stated, “I design anything from head to toe. Under the Tumaz brand, I have been supplying outfits to some artists, including M’afriq, Tawastok, Roki, DJ Unlocked, and Madiz, among others.”

Tunga T emphasised the collaborative nature of his work, adding, “I also get to work with a lot of local and international designers as we interact through events such as fashion shows.”

Having formed M’afriq in 2003 alongside Pauline Gundidza and Lovedale ‘Discord’ Makalanga, Tunga T focused on his designer brand during the group’s separation in 2010 to pursue solo projects.

Reflecting on his career, Tunga T highlighted a major milestone: “The major highlight of my career was showcasing my works in Geneva, Switzerland, at the Zimbabwe Health Fundraising Gala in 2015. I was simply invited and got to work on mainly African print-inspired wear.”

Tunga T’s journey in the design world began in 1997 when he was still in high school. Now located near Kwame Mall in Harare, his business primarily markets its products through social media platforms.

“The idea came when I started branding my school uniform with the Tumaz logo until all my friends wanted the same on their uniforms. That is how the buzz started,” reflected Tunga T, reminiscing about the humble beginnings of his brand. He firmly believes in his mission and approach: “I have no competition, just a mission. I do my thing at my own pace. Just being able to maintain is a huge achievement for me. No failures. My God has never failed me yet.”

However, Tunga T expressed his frustration over the lack of support from the locals, attributing it to the considerable gap between local brands and international standards. He voiced his concerns: “We lack the clothing technology that meets international standards. Give our local industry the right machinery and technology, and you will see wonderful things from our nation.”

Elaborating further, Tunga T illustrated the disparity by explaining, “Most of us cannot afford to buy the latest machines that are being used internationally in garment construction. For example, I will use two to three machines to complete a man’s suit, but in Italy, a suit goes through eight machines until you get a finished product.”

As Tunga T strives to propel Tumaz to new heights and elevate Zimbabwe’s fashion industry, his determination and vision continue to shape the future of his designer brand. With hopes of bridging the gap between local and international standards, Tunga T remains committed to his mission, setting his sights on conquering the global fashion scene.