INTISAAR M

Zimbabwean born designer Intisaar Mukadam obtained her BA (honors’) Fashion Design degree in the UK, in 2010. She has become an International name after launching her label, IntisaarM, in Harare, in December 2010. Intisaar’s first collection, “Tribal” was selected- by a judging panel including the renowned British designer, Karen Millen- as one of sixteen degree collections to showcase at Graduate Fashion Week 2010, which was held in London, UK, This collection was entered in the BHM Knitwear Visionary Award competition 2010.
Specializing in women’s fashion and knitwear, Intisaar is significantly influenced by Africa. The colours and shapes found in almost every African Tribe are evident in all her designs. In addition to creating unique prints and textures- inspired by the movement of nature, she explores block beading as a technique to construct an illusion of layers that lift away from the garments and pushes boundaries by clashing colours and prints in ways that would not normally be considered but does it in such an effortless manner that the pieces blend together rather efficiently.
Intisaar has spent 2011 working closely with Judith Clare Williams from Model Management and Michele Fortmann, one of Zimbabwe’s top photographers, dressing models for the ‘Ford Supermodel of the World Search- Zimbabwe 2011’, ‘Sun is Up’ summer fashion show, Passport Boutique launch show and Africa Fashion Week Johannesburg. She has dressed models Samantha Tshuma (Miss Tourism Zimbabwe2010), Miss Zimbabwe 2011: Malaika Mushandu and Thandi Muringa who is representing Zimbabwe at the Miss Earth 2011 Pageant in the Philippines. Intisaar has worked on a range of photo shoots, for magazines such as Double Magazine (UK), Skyhost Magazine (Zimbabwe), and a spread in Zimbabwe’s Daily News, where she dressed Vimbai Mutinhiri as well as featuring in the October issue of Baobabwe.
African Kaleidoscope Intisaar’s Spring/ Summer 2012 collection was debuted at Africa Fashion Week Johannesburg 2011, held at Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Showcasing at an International event like Africa Fashion Week has opened the doors for Intisaar; her designs were welcomed by everyone with an eye for fashion. She has been featured in many online reviews, such as coastweek.com and examiner.com, to name a few. The examiner.com refers to Intisaar’s collection as “A fun and playful extension of the luxe visual collage at Africa Fashion week 2011.” Shortly after showcasing in Johannesburg, Intisaar received an invitation to participate in Africa Fashion Week New York 2012.
African Kaleidoscope showcased the fun, flirty and chic pieces for Spring/ Summer 2012- employing Zimbabwean Batique, African Java and soft breathable knits- these easy to wear pieces will be a great addition to any wardrobe as they are all bright yet simple. Oversized beach wax- print bags featured throughout the collection, while purple and lime green hues dominated the colour palette. “Her designs are fresh, vibrant and very trendy for the super chic kind of girl about town”- afrocentric fashion blogs.
Intisaar showcased her ‘PowerPlay’ collection at Zimbabwe Fashion Week 2012, where she was one of the four designer nominees to be given the chance to showcase at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Johannesburg (Africa Fashion International) for the second year running. 2012, has also seen IntisaarM designs feature in Jewel Magazine Zimbabwe and Out of Africa- Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine Zimbabwe. Catherine Ruze Modeling agency launched their Zimbabwean branch in June 2012 where Intisaar was one of three designers to showcase.
Through her showcase at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa 2012, in Johannesburg, Intisaar’s designs were seen in South African newspapers and magazine spreads and secured a contract to supply the South African online boutique- Style 36, with a limited selection of her designs.
Shingai Shoniwa, has also worn Intisaar’s designs from the UK music band Noisettes, for her spread in Jewel Magazine Zimbabwe as well as Cosmopolitan Magazine South Africa.