Maven fashionista and creator Shumirai Tsungu takes over Australia.

The realisation of one's true capabilities is seldom a moment many get to witness. We tend to follow others and use our times to make other people great and comfortably opt for safety over bravery. That said, exploring the latter, though not easy, but with consistency and passion, the universe opens up to you, voluntarily.

ZImbabwean born Shumirai Tsungu is a true reflection of pure bravery. She took a failed old concept, the original Face of Africa, and has created an organisation that is not only strong but is a leading fashion force in Australia and beyond.

She only had to follow her heart, create a brand she could totally go crazy with and off course, use her somewhat super powers in event organisation to bring about the Face of Africa Australia.

Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, Shumirai moved to Perth, Western Australia and in 2013 registered FOAA. She has developed a unique brand in fashion taking from an obsolete idea from Face of Africa and revamping it to be a celebration of 'African-ness' and creating a platform for fashion, modelling, the arts and culture.

Her brand, just recently incorporated, after just over three years of being created is a huge achievement if not statement within the fashion industry in Australia not on only for a woman of colour but also a foreign national. She describes her brand as a representation of Africans living and working in Australia to showcase and market but it seems it has become more than just that as it has also created a magazine in which the brand focuses on the many aspects of life for africans in Australia other than just fashion.

"Our brand is a multi-cultural show, a representation for Africans living in Australia,  for people with a creative talent in fashion and modelling. To gain recognition, collaborate and further celebrate with the local market here in Australia."

For the past years her project has been involved in FOAA Model search, a yearly event and participating in general fashion shows where different types of local fashion designers, students, models get a chance to showcase and network.

Their shows have seen models taking further steps to bigger platforms and the wider fashion community in the world.

Their main show, Face of Africa Australia, will now be done bi-annually.

Their magazine will give more room to other issues like health, fitness, arts and culture that is being done in the African community and open to a broader purpose.

Baring no ties with the original concept, which has ceased to exist, FOAA has been working with local designers but for the first time this year, they will be hosting an International designer, Wanita Kancobo. 

Shumirai says this year's event will determine the direction their project will take and their keenness to take over the world of fashion.

"This year’s show will determine the direction that the project will take as we have entered into a contract on behalf of the designers under the umbrella FOAA, to showcase and sell their designs on their behalf. We are opening a gateway to Australia and the world whilst expanding to Melbourne and to other states."

On the 4th of November, FOAA ran a fashion show at the Monk (a new home to the show), showcasing local designers, international designers, kid’s runway, summer range and men’s range.

Shumirai Tsungu at FOAA 2017 (Pic FOAA)

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