St. Petersburg shines in New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week is not only an annual tradition, but a personal bucket list item for many fashionistas worldwide. During this year's show, St. Petersburg-based designer Matipa Mutsemi was invited to participate in the event by Runway 7, a fashion production company that champions cultural diversity by incorporating international designers and other creatives into New York Fashion Week each season.

On Sunday, Sept. 15, the audience cheered Mutsemi's creativity as models took to the runway at Sony Hall in Times Square. Several of the models were St. Petersburg locals sporting Mutsemi's designs.

She and her sister, Mercy Nyamangwanda, founded the EnnYe Collection in 2016. The collection, named after their mother, Enny, was designed as wearable art, saluting their Zimbabwean roots. In their store, located at 300 Beach Drive NE, Suite 111, St. Petersburg, the designers showcase contemporary clothing, accessories and home accents using vibrant African-print fabrics. Next Septem­ber, the designers plan to travel to London Fashion Week.