ZIMSPHERE
Zimbabwean accessory designer and Creative DNA Africa alumna Chido Kaseke, founder of PatCh Maokoe Zimbabwe, has been selected for the prestigious Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield programme, an international fashion exchange bringing together emerging designers from the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa.
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| Chido Kaseke |
Launched in early 2026, Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield is a collaboration between the British Council, the Paul Smith Foundation, and Projekt. The initiative offers six designers the opportunity to travel, collaborate and build sustainable businesses through peer-to-peer exchange, mentorship and hands-on learning in Ethiopia and London. Chido joins a carefully selected 2026 cohort that includes Solome Asfaw (Ethiopia) and Karoline Vitto (London). The finalists were chosen by a distinguished panel that included Ib Kamara, Creative Director of Off-White, affirming the calibre and global relevance of the programme.
The journey begins with a 10-day exploration in Ethiopia, hosted by iceaddis, where designers will engage with local craft traditions and contemporary fashion practices. From there, participants move to London for a six-week residency at Studio Smithfield, a 27,000 square foot creative hub located above the historic Smithfield Market in London’s Culture Mile.
During the residency, designers receive free studio space, more than 80 hours of business training, and direct mentorship from leading industry professionals. Participants also gain opportunities to present their work to buyers and press, strengthening both their visibility and commercial Readiness.
For Chido Kaseke, whose work celebrates Zimbabwean identity through bold, handcrafted accessories, the programme marks a significant step forward. PatCh Maokoe Zimbabwe has built a reputation for reimagining traditional materials and cultural motifs into contemporary statement pieces. Her practice balances heritage and modernity, placing Zimbabwean craftsmanship firmly within global fashion conversations.
Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield aims to strengthen designers’ expertise in sustainability, traditional craftsmanship and digital innovation. By combining travel, collaboration and structured business development, the programme equips participants with the tools to grow resilient, future-facing brands while staying rooted in their cultural contexts.
The initiative reflects a broader commitment to nurturing creative entrepreneurship across borders. Through international collaboration and shared learning, designers like Chido gain access not only to new markets, but to new ways of thinking about production, storytelling and long-term growth.
Her selection highlights Zimbabwe’s growing presence in global fashion networks and reinforces the importance of platforms that connect African designers to international ecosystems without diluting their identity.
Chido Kaseke is a Zimbabwean accessory designer and Creative DNA Africa alumna, best known as the founder of Patch Maoko eZimbabwe, a handcrafted accessories label rooted in Zimbabwean cultural heritage and contemporary design. Through her work, she foregrounds local craftsmanship and storytelling, producing wearable pieces that blend identity, symbolism and modern aesthetics.
Patch Maoko eZimbabwe has built its reputation on bold, handmade designs that celebrate heritage while remaining stylistically current. The brand merges traditional techniques with contemporary form, creating accessories that reflect pride, craftsmanship and cultural continuity.
Kaseke is part of the broader Creative DNA ecosystem; a platform dedicated to supporting emerging African fashion designers through structured mentorship, skills development and international exposure.
The Zimbabwean chapter, launched in March 2025, is led by the Haus of Stone Showroom and funded through a partnership between the British Council and the Swiss Embassy, with a focus on fostering sustainable and culturally grounded creative practices.
Creative DNA’s broader network intersects with initiatives such as the Paul Smith Foundation, established in 2020 by British designer Sir Paul Smith to support early-career creatives in fashion, design and the visual arts. The foundation provides mentorship, business training, funding opportunities and studio access aimed at building sustainable careers in the creative industries.
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