Zuri Zanzibar

Set in the Indian Ocean, Zuri Zanzibar Resort occupies the north-west beach of Unguja, one of the idyllic islands of the Zanzibar archipelago. The name is fitting; ‘Zuri’ means beautiful in Swahili.

The resort has been carefully conceived as a micro universe, with white sand beaches, spice gardens and luxury accommodation existing in harmony. Ecology and sustainability are central to its philosophy; locally sourced materials, energy-saving initiatives and community projects have shaped its development from the outset. The resort’s owners were therefore seeking a uniform partner that shared their commitment to sustainability. The brief was to combine luxury with a calm, relaxed image, whilst ensuring garments were practical and able to accommodate local staff through flexible sizing.

Fashionizer was invited to deliver the staff uniforms for the opening of Zuri Zanzibar and to establish a uniform programme that the resort could manage locally going forward. The resort is the vision of Czech entrepreneur, philanthropist and filmmaker Václav Dejčmar, founder of Prague’s DOX Centre for Contemporary Art and a longstanding advocate for sustainability and conscious design.

Working from concept ideas and a mood board created by Czech fashion designer Denisa Nova, Fashionizer sourced suitable fabrics, developed patterns with simple manufacturing methods in mind, and produced the first garment delivery. The programme, Fashionizer’s first new opening in Africa, spanned reception, food and beverage, entertainment and wellness areas.

The result is a collection of soft, flowing garments in cotton-rich fabrics, generously cut for comfort and ease of movement in the tropical climate, and draped to fit multiple body shapes and sizes. The colour palette reflects both the location and the identity of the Spice Islands: hues of sandy brown, turquoise and aqua blue, complemented by fresh white — reminiscent of Unguja’s pristine beaches and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.