The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2023 - Issue 34

bitecatwalk L ondon-based Zimbabwean designer Preline Martha’s Prelim label is always colourful and driven with eye-catching prints. Her designs are inspired by South African Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu and the cultures and traditions taught by her grandmother, coupled with her experiences living in London and the current Afrobeat scene. She started her fashion journey studying a BA in Fashion Design and Garment Construction at Middlesex University and has been designing her collections since 2012. Preline chose ‘Pop’ by NSYNC as the starting song, which evolved into Dr SID's more uptempo ‘Pop Some- thing’ for her colourful collection of animated and ge- ometric prints. The first look was a round-neck crop top with an orange heart-shaped panel and mini skirt bearing a multi-pop art print of an African woman in a blue wrap with the words ‘African Pop’ and matching knee-high boots, accessorised with a small handbag. The two-piece top and leggings had interesting geomet- ric shapes that held your attention. The intriguing African print continued in a high-neck strapless jumpsuit with an open panel at the back and repeated in a heart-shaped dress with matching knee- high boots. I liked the matching print bodysuit and crop jacket the model took off and then put back on as she strutted down the runway. When the next model carried an umbrella, I needed clarification about its rel- evance. However, I realised it was to show off the pop art print accessory accompanying the intricate print hooded mini dress. The ‘African Pop’ print slogan was more prominent in the beautiful multi-print coat that would brighten a person's day wherever they are, while the umbrella bore the print of the previous dress in reverse. It continued in the high-neck dress with matching boots, the jacket with a yellow belt, and different patterned thigh-high boots. The final look was a strapless dress with a thigh- high split that the model emphasised as she walked the catwalk. Prelim