First off, Congratulation to Anisa Mpungwe for being  the first Tanzanian designer to showcase at New York Fashion week. Tanzanian born Mpungwe launched her label Loin Cloth and Ashes in August 2008. Anisa trained at the Midrand Graduate Institute before completing a course in Creative Pattern Construction at the London College of Fashion.

This year is big for Anisa Mpungwe, but then, she’s had a big year every year for the past three years.In 2008, she won the Elle New Talent competition which attracts young design talent from around the country. Mpungwe’s fresh, unique and meticulously presented garments won her the coveted prize of “Young Designer of the Year”.Anisa has also shown at South Africa Fashion Week, Mozambique Fashion Week and Sweden Fashion Week.

Anisa Mpungwe is one of the three African designers who showcased last Saturday night at Bryant park Arise Magazine African Fashion Collective show.Her designs for the New York show are mathematically draped and she says that much of her inspiration was taken from the Japanese art of origami.

Arise is the only showcase for African talent during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and is one of the week’s hottest events.The only three talented African designers featured were Black Coffee of South Africa,Deola Sagoe of Nigeria and Loin Cloth & Ashes of Tanzania.

Loin Cloth& Ashes Fall/Winter Collection ~ Photo via Anisa’s Facebook Page