5 Minutes With Danielle Allen

Danielle Allen is an award winning international fashion designer who has showcased her work on platforms like Africa Fashion Week London, Africa Fashion Week Nigeria, Zimbabwe Fashion Week and London Fashion Week. Danielle is the founder of the label TIR Fashion House which launched in 2013 and has been on a steady rise to becoming a household name in the fashion industry.

In this interview we talk to Danielle Allen on her journey, her inspiration and thoughts on the African fashion industry.

Hello Danielle, introduce yourself.

Danielle Allen is a British born entrepreneur of Zimbabwean heritage.

What inspires your designs?

Colour and texture of fabrics. Most times I see a design in a fabric, as opposed to sketching and then sourcing, it works better for me that way.

What are your thoughts on the African fashion industry?

There is still room for growth but I believe we have come a very long way.

If you were to change anything in the African fashion industry, what would it be?

The rate at which our African designers and designs are being exposed, whilst there is growing interest in African fashion and African fashion designers globally designers within Africa are still trying to find a sustainable market on an international scale.

Highlights of your journey as a designer so far?

Being awarded by numerous platforms for my work has been extremely encouraging, to be recognised by others for the hard work that goes into it all is a win win!

Your website talks about putting Zimbabwe on the map, fashion wise, how do you intend to achieve that?

I intend to keep flying the flag high on as many platforms as I can be it internationally or nationally.

Advice to upcoming fashion designers.

Never give up on your dreams, keep pushing, sky is never the limit your mind is!