Startup Story
For lovers of eye-catching luxury fashion accessories and footwear, look no further than Rungano Rwedu in Zimbabwe, founded by Rumbidzai Matemachani. Her creative talent, combined with some of the finest specialist training in footwear and accessory design and manufacture in Italy, led Rumbidzai to launch her own brand back in her home country of Zimbabwe.
LoA learned more about the talented Rumbidzai Matemachani and her wonderful luxury brand this month.
What does your company do?
Rungano Rwedu is a Zimbabwean fashion house, specializing in handmade footwear and leather accessories.
Rungano Rwedu prides itself in creating high quality luxury goods that are handmade in Zimbabwe. They are unique and usually one-of-a-kind pieces.
What inspired you to start your company?
After graduating with a degree in footwear and accessories from Polimoda Institute in Florence, Italy, I was faced with the difficulties of finding employment. I decided to create my own company and move back home to Zimbabwe. I launched my first collection in December 2015. The business grew and the next hurdle was meeting demand. I then hired and trained 3 employees and put systems in place to allow myself the opportunity to focus on building and exposing the brand to new markets whilst the employees grew their skills. This also allowed me to create new collections and reach larger markets and produce larger quantities.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Rungano Rwedu prides itself in creating high quality luxury goods that are handmade in Zimbabwe. They are unique and usually one-of-a-kind pieces. We also take pride in uplifting the rural community in which we operate by creating employment for women and youth who are interested in learning hands-on skills.
Tell us a little about your team
Our workshop is located in Hwedza Zimbabwe on Greenbanks Farm. Our team consists of 2 women from the farm compound and one young 18-year-old man who recently finished his secondary education. I decided to hire individuals who lived in close proximity to me and those who had skills but no opportunity yet of finding decent employment. Our team is small but effective. They have unlocked skills inside themselves that have allowed them to grow and be creative while working in a friendly down-to-earth workspace.
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“We also take pride in uplifting the rural community in which we operate by creating employment for women and youth who are interested in learning hands-on skills.”
“The business is still quite small but the vision is to become a large fashion house whose focus is on high quality goods made in Africa.”
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My journey began back in 2009 when I decided to change careers and take a risk moving from accounting and finance to design. It came with a move to a new country. I think like most stories it takes failure to grow. When I graduated in 2015 with a design degree I was confronted with the reality of not being able to find a job in the fashion capital of the world. Disappointed but not defeated, I decided to move home and take what I had learnt from college and my internships and put it to use by producing my own range. With assistance and support from my parents, I was able to set up a small studio and launched my first collection. With some patience, the brand began to grow and I began to do some local fashion shows and exhibitions. With time, I found that working alone was a lot, and to grow I needed help. I decided to hire employees to assist with the making of goods and increase volumes so that I could focus my efforts on finding new markets outside of Zimbabwe, regionally and internationally. I began to travel and find boutiques and collective studios that would take my goods on consignment or at a wholesale price. The business is still quite small but the vision is to become a large fashion house whose focus is on high quality goods made in Africa.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
1. Increase brand awareness worldwide
2. Increase market share
3. Hire and train more employees (5 and above )
4. Set up a website (where we can accept payments and orders)
5. Be showcased in a major fashion show for example in South Africa, Nigeria, London, New York, or Milan Fashion Week.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The ability to create my own income and income for my employees.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Keep going. It’s not easy but it’s fun to win.
Contact or follow Rungano Rwedu
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | EMAIL Runganorwedu@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it…
It is always wonderful to see a unique, beautifully designed and lovingly handmade garment, piece of footwear, or accessory, one that has the hallmark of the designer who created it. Rumbidzai Matemachani is talented designer and entrepreneur with an incredible eye for detail and a love of luxurious textiles and materials. Her business and brand is making a real name for itself in the local and global marketplace amongst discerning, design focused clients who appreciate the work that goes into creating each unique piece of footwear or accessory. We think Rumbidzai is definitely a name to look out for on the world’s fashion runways over the coming years. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa