Zimbabwean accessory designer Chido Kaseke has been selected to participate in the 2026 Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield programme, a high-profile cross-continental exchange connecting emerging fashion talents from Sub-Saharan Africa and the United Kingdom.
By EARGROUND NEWS
Kaseke, founder of PatCh Maokoe Zimbabwe and an alumna of Creative DNA, is among six designers chosen for the initiative, which is delivered in partnership with the British Council, the Paul Smith Foundation and Projekt. The programme is designed to strengthen sustainable fashion businesses through international collaboration, mentorship and structured industry exposure.
The 2026 cohort includes designers from Ethiopia and London, among them Karoline Vitto. Final participants were selected by a distinguished judging panel that featured Ib Kamara, Creative Director of Off-White, highlighting the global relevance and competitive standard of the exchange.
The programme begins with a 10-day immersion in Ethiopia hosted by iceaddis, where designers will explore local craftsmanship and contemporary creative practices. Participants will then travel to London for a six-week residency at Studio Smithfield, a 27,000-square-foot creative space located above the historic Smithfield Market in the capital’s Culture Mile. During the residency, designers will receive studio space, over 80 hours of business development training and mentorship from leading industry professionals, along with opportunities to present their collections to buyers and members of the press.
Kaseke’s brand, PatCh Maokoe Zimbabwe, is known for bold, handcrafted accessories that reinterpret Zimbabwean cultural symbols and traditional materials for contemporary audiences.
Her selection signals growing international recognition for Zimbabwean design and reflects the country’s expanding footprint within global fashion networks.
Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield aims to equip emerging designers with tools to build resilient, culturally grounded and commercially viable brands. For Kaseke, the opportunity represents both personal achievement and a broader milestone for Zimbabwe’s creative sector, positioning local craftsmanship within influential global fashion ecosystems.
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