Since 2022, ROR’s founder Charlene Mc Farlane has been collaborating with OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) supporting the needs and sharing the importance of creative entrepreneurship as a panelist, pitch competition judge and mentor, giving university students and recent alumni unprecedented access to immerse themselves in empowering conversations.
Reviewing their business plan
Researching their industry
Supporting their creative process
Committing to their journey
Cultivating their own distinct style
Leading and creating impact from a real and authentic space
Introducing Mufaro Mukoki
Zimbabwe native Mufaro Mukoki is an international student and recent Masters grduate in Digital Futures producing made-to-order (MTO) and ready-to-wear (RTW) garments characterized by meticulous tailoring and deconstruction, lying somewhere between commercial fashion and critical design.
To date, she has built a reputation around craftsmanship and expertise in patternmaking, design and garment construction.
Her designs embody the complex identities we build through our histories and lived experiences. In the future, she plans to participate in the biggest fashion weeks in the world and expand into menswear.
Accomplishments
2017
• Winner of the South African Fashion Week student competition in South Africa, after designing a shirt dress with a trompe lʼoeil collar
2024
• Won a spot in the Black Designers of Canada showcase at Fashion Art Toronto. BDC is the first-ever comprehensive Canadian index celebrating black excellence in design, highlighting and amplify black designers across Canada during the longest running fashion week; during FAT's annual multidisciplinary fashion event that showcases cutting-edge and avant-garde design, celebrating the intersection of fashion and art, highlighting emerging and established designers who push the boundaries of creativity and challenge traditional notions of style and what clothing can mean.
• First place in OCAD University's Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs pitch competition
Mentorship
Following her winning pitch and with two weeks to showtime for Fashion Art Toronto, Mufaro requested a mentoring session through CEAD for further insight into the marketing and luxury retail space in Canada.
Drawing on Charlene’s education and experience in modeling, public relations, marketing, event production, retail management and buying, together they reviewed 24 key directives including elements of traditional fashion marketing and sales strategies, and a runway event production plan to align with Mufaro’s vision:
Highlights:
Capturing images and video for archiving, portfolio and marketing, your audience needs to see more of you
Sharing her approach to design and sustainability
Developing marketing campaigns
Avoiding the need to please social media algorithms
Industry memberships and associations
Careere paths
Runway Show:
Infusing her masters Digital Futures' Graduate Project to her upcoming runway show
Taking full control of model selection and fittings
Adding video display with voice over, detailing the project
Eliminating footwear for a more grounded experience
Directing runway timing and coordination
Results
In addition to design and pattern making, sourcing, purchasing equipment and materials, sewing and assembly, and a tight deadline with no rehearsal, in the midst of completing her Masters degree; this was Mufaro's first show in Canada.
BREATHERS, a womenswear collection that captures the experiences of African immigrants and experimenting with wearable tech to enhance storytelling is artistic, intellectual and dramatic.
Learn More About Mufaro Mukoki
Follow Mufaro's approach to design, and watch behind-the-scenes at Fashion Art Toronto on: Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Widely known for carving out her own unique paths to success, empowerment and personal growth discussing iconic moments in her life, Charlene Mc Farlane is on a benevolent crusade for us to look bravely at the things we rarely discuss in entrepreneurship - courage, fear, vulnerability, empathy and competition – asking, “What does success look like without the agency to self-advocate?” Sharing deep insight from her research and life experience as an educator, panelist and contributing writer, anyone who experiences Charlene’s collection of thoughtful evolving content, trusted advice and learning tools is constantly reaching for higher ground, carving out a unique position in the marketplace, expressing their individual style and aspiring to make wise choices.
Learn more at: TheNewROR.com
Images: and Video: Mufaro Mukoki and Charlene Mc Farlane
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