Gilmore Qhawe Khumalo, the multi-faceted cultural architect and style icon who has positioned himself at the vital intersection of contemporary fashion, media, and African heritage preservation, is not merely an observer of culture, but an active curator and catalyst for its evolution and celebration.
Professionally, he operates as a creative director, cultural manager, and media practitioner, contributing his expertise to prominent platforms such as top South African men’s magazine GQ South Africa. In 2019, he was recognised on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list, joining some of Africa’s top entrepreneurs.
His entrepreneurial spirit is evidenced by his founding of digital brands, including Paper Bag Africa which is a local content creation, management and public relations company, as well as The PiChani, a Pan African lifestyle and business networking platform.
Khumalo is also a skilled facilitator and pan-African voice.
In July he presided over the three day Scholastica Expo 2025 as director of ceremonies and moderator hosted at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre in Bulawayo.
He regularly participates in the British Council (BC) programmes such as this year’s edition of the Culture Grows Symposium hosted at the National Museums of Kenya in the same month.
The symposium focused on critical continental conversations about using digital innovation to protect cultural heritage. It drew a mix of artists and creatives, technologists and innovators, educators, researchers, and cultural entrepreneurs from across the continent and beyond.
However, his most significant role is as the founder and visionary behind the “I Wear My Culture” initiative. A research project launched in 2022 and powered by the British Council, it extends beyond fashion, acting as a modern, dynamic platform for safeguarding and promoting indigenous knowledge.
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On August 28, Paper Bag Africa together with BC, hosted the “I Wear My Culture Fashion” mixer at the British Council premises in Harare.
It was graced by fashion enthusiasts and cultural stakeholders. Moderated by Extra-Blessings Kuchera, BC regional programme manager — new narratives, the event featured a small panel of some of the fashion designers who participated in the project including Leroy Mapungwana, Penelope Lacha, Langa Ndlovu, Nonhlanhla Ncube, a plus size fashion designer from Plumtree, and staff from Paper Bag Africa Dalubuhle and Charlotte, who shared their experiences working in the project throughout the rural communities of Zimbabwe.
Speaking on the sidelines of the mixer, Khumalo mentioned the necessity of cross industry collaboration and highlighted the intrinsic link between fashion and film.
“I think in terms of the industries, for example with this project, we still use film to capture that.
“In terms of storytelling we are more powerful when we actually do that because fashion on its own cannot survive, the same applies to film; that’s why when we are doing films, people have to dress, that is fashion,” he told IndependentXtra.
“The collaborative approach strengthens our storytelling because it allows us to tell a complete narrative. Take Nigeria, for example: you see actors wearing their traditional regalia.
This allows us to understand the full picture of their identity, as a people are defined by how they speak, what they wear, and what they listen to. Therefore, combining music, fashion, and film helps us tell a story that is not only more authentic, but also more powerful and true to who we are.”
The mixer was a build up to the “I Wear My Culture” fashion weekend closing gala, themed ‘A Royal Affair: A Celebration of Self,’ which was held at the Natural History Museum in Bulawayo on August 30. The landmark gala featured 16 fashion designers, who are contributors to the project, each presenting a collection dedicated to one of Zimbabwe’s 16 ethnic groups.
The “I Wear My Culture” initiative demonstrates Khumalo’s deep commitment to honouring the past, as seen in his tribute to the late historian Pathisa Nyathi, whose work directly influenced his vision for the project.
The unveiling of the
Pathisa Nyathi Pavilion created a sacred space within the pop-up, directly linking his scholarly legacy to the artistic visions on the runway through his literature.
Organisers said it served as a showcase for the designers and an enlightening information centre, ‘illuminating the rich tapestry of projects inspired by Nyathi’s enduring literary and cultural contributions.’
Besides selected merchandise, it included books authored by Nyathi himself, “each piece a testament to his intellectual legacy”.
“He shaped the ‘I Wear My Culture’ vision, guiding with wisdom and grace,” read a statement by Paper Bag Africa.
