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Mu Mudenda
By Xile
to experience various cultures and in
turn have strengthened her appreciate for her
own. This diversity is certainly showcased in her
designs which can be described as chic, modern
and clean with accents of colourful complexity in
detail.
AF: Before you opened the boutique where
you working?
MM: Yes, prior to opening VALA I was working in
the construction industry working with Affordable
housing and building systems and product development.
AF: When did you open the boutique and is
this the first store?
MM: We opened VALA in August 2015 and we
currently only have one store at Foxdale Court.
AF: Why did you open this particular boutique
and was it your idea? Do you have any business
partners and where are they from?
VALA-FASHION STYLE SAVVY!
VALA is Zambia’s first concept store and local
emporium. The principal behind VALA is that of
shared space retail and is run on consignment
agreements with top talent local designers.
VALA is a 100% locally owned company that
stocks quality collections from various local
designers and thus bring local fashion to the
retail and commercial markets. VALA aspires to
create a platform for growth of the industry by
promoting designers businesses and allowing
them to expand their reach. AfroTrend
magazine did an interview with Mu Mudenda
the director of VALA to find out why this
specific store was opened.
AF: Who is Mu Mudenda?
MM: Mu Mudenda is passionate about the detail in
design with particular focus on fashion,
architecture and photography. She has a desire to
build a brand that captures the ideals of culture,
heritage, style and identity in the intricate details of
life.
Mu could be described as a global citizen, born in
Lusaka, Zambia she moved to the United States at
the age of 17. Since then she attended the United
World Collage and later attained a bachelor’s degree in Design – Architecture, from the University of
Florida, a period in which she had the opportunity
to visit over 15 countries, having spent time in Jamaica, Hong Kong, China, Italy and France. Her
travels have awarded her the opportunity
MM: As an upcoming designer and creative, I was
always making things and wanted to have a
platform to sell them. I also saw that this was a
situation that many people had and as I had many
conversations with my business partner Angelika,
we decided that VALA would be a good initiative to
invest in. and so it begun…
AF: Do you still have the same type of
merchandise and customers as when you
started?
MM: No, our designers are constantly changing
and so are our customers. We are starting to get
some repeat customers who we are grateful for,
but as we are a young business, things are
always constantly changing.
AF: Is this a second career?
AF: Do you plan to expand and where?
MM: Yes, I am passionate about design and I
have
become fond of fashion, but I would not say it is
my one true calling. I always say I was born to
design and I enjoy the liberation that comes
With being able to create. I am passionate about
helping people and making beautiful things and
therefor R