SYNOPSIS

‘the colour of winter is in the imagination’

imba (Shona – native Zimbabwean language)

(noun) a home, a place where ones comfort and affections are centred.

Manako Imba delivered couture outfits with strong silhouettes, daring features, unusual fabrics, distinct colours and hand painted prints.

Imba runs with the same thought as Manako Imba but is comfortable, more casual, younger and loves to layer.

Imba knows that winter can be dull, dark and tirelessly miserable, but wants to change this. Imba is the sunny hour in a day of rain.

With striking colours and an array of unusual prints inspired by the colours and patterns of Africa; Imba is all about the wearer making choices. Each piece available in at least one other colour or print, “the colour of winter is in the imagination” – so, as the owner of a variety of pieces, why not mix and match? Layer it up? Make the outfit your own. For the more daring wearer, combining the very different prints offers an unexpected bang of colour, which surprisingly works; for those less audacious, the single colours can help calm things down a little.

The collection is designed to maximise comfort  - being named after the words home and affection, it only makes sense that the garments offer this - and practicality: for the busy-bee customers.  Signature coats and capes to wrap up warm in the outside winter chill are easy to take-off for inside. With loose layering basics in organic cotton and merino, Imba has made sure that being comfortable and looking stylish has never been more effortless. For those with little time to put together an outfit (it is quite likely that the Imba girl is like this!), there is little to worry about as the colours and print do the talking.

Imba’s outerwear is made of 100% New Zealand wool and made onshore, here in New Zealand. The 100% New Zealand merino and organic cotton jersey-knit basics are also made onshore. With onshore prices being higher than offshore, the prices for these pieces are in the higher price range of the mid market. As a result, to keep costs lower across the brand, and as accessible as possible for the Imba market; the construction and printing of the other garments (pants) are taken offshore. Made in viscose, linen and polyester, these pieces are aimed to be easy care and easy wear. The average Imba consumer doesn’t have the time and cannot afford to dry-clean a pant after every wear; therefore no-stress fabrics have been used as opposed to silk etc. Finishing details such as topstitching and interesting panelling are included in the design and construction of garments because the Imba girl is one who knows about detail – she pays attention to it.  

The Imba girl is studying or at the beginning or her career, she is street-wise and enlightened. She is independent and creative. She is happy.

She is happy because she wears Imba.